Abortion

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what conclusions they have drawn from reports that three teenage girls have had a total of 24 NHS abortions; what costs were incurred; and what assessment has been made of the impact on the physical and psychological health of the girls involved.

Earl Howe: It would not be appropriate to comment on individual cases. The decision to terminate a pregnancy rests with the woman and her doctors.
	It is important for women in Great Britain to be able to access safe, legal abortion services; the Abortion Act 1967 (as amended) makes provision for this. Any abortion performed outside the terms of the Abortion Act 1967 is illegal.
	Improving sexual health by reducing unintended pregnancies is very important, particularly for young people. Improving Outcomes and Supporting Transparency: A Public Health Outcomes Framework for England 2013-16, which was published on 23 January 2012 includes an indicator for under-18 conceptions. A copy has been placed in the Library.
	The Government recognise that easy access to the full range of contraception provision is an important part of healthcare, which helps people to make informed decisions about how to avoid unintended pregnancy and plan their families. All women opting to terminate a pregnancy should on each occasion be given advice on the various methods of contraception and supplies, of their chosen method. Many local areas are providing tailored, ongoing support to young women undergoing abortions to help reduce the risk of further unintended pregnancies.

Africa

The Earl of Sandwich: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will increase their response to the food and nutrition crisis in the countries of the Sahel region of Africa in the light of the number of appeals across the region and of the growing number of cases of malnutrition.

Baroness Northover: The United Nations (UN) currently estimates that the numbers of people at risk of food shortages across the Sahel region of West Africa in 2012 is 18 million, with 8 million of these being in need of immediate assistance.
	Admission rates to therapeutic treatment centres are on the rise. Across the Sahel, UNICEF estimate that up to 1.5 million children under the age of five will suffer from severe acute malnutrition-the worst form of malnutrition.
	Currently overall humanitarian requirements across the Sahel are estimated by the UN at £600 million. Following the imminent launch of new UN appeals, the needs for the Sahel by the end of June 2012 may be significantly higher.
	The UK Government responded early to the food crisis in the Sahel. UK funds currently support over 400,000 of the most vulnerable people across the region. We will consider additional funding in the light of these new and revised appeals.

Africa

The Earl of Sandwich: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will use their development of the Sahel Resilience Strategy to expand social protection in the region to improve access to aid in the case of an emerging hunger crisis.

Baroness Northover: The UK Government have been a major supporter of social protection programmes in Africa and recognises that providing poor people with social safety nets helps reduce their vulnerability to food crises. In drought-prone countries where the Department for International Development (DfID) has bilateral development programmes, we have made major investments in social protection programmes, including the Productive Safety Net Programme in Ethiopia and the Hunger Safety Net Programme in Kenya.
	In the Sahel, we recognise that it is vital to expand social protection programmes to protect people from future food crises. Without bilateral programmes in the region, DFID cannot provide direct support to national social protection programmes; however our multilateral partners-notably the World Bank and the United Nations-do support social safety net programmes in the Sahel.

Africa

The Earl of Sandwich: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to use the Economic Community of West African States project and the forthcoming G20 discussions to propose an accountable system of strategic and emergency food reserves in the Sahel.

Baroness Northover: We are engaging and monitoring progress on the PREPARE system, which is the Economic Community of West African States' (ECOWAS) proposal for a pilot emergency humanitarian food reserve in the region. We welcome ECOWAS's commitment to the issue of regional food security and encourage them to move this forward, in consultation with member states and donors. We do have some concerns about certain aspects of the design, for example why food transfers are the only option considered; therefore we believe more work is needed on the proposal.
	Whilst the G20 continues to be supportive of the ECOWAS pilot project for emergency humanitarian food reserves and is keen to see it make progress, this issue will not be a specific focus for this year's G20 summit in Los Cabos.

Agriculture: Roundup

The Countess of Mar: To ask Her Majesty's Government what regulations control the use of Roundup as a pre-harvest desiccant on food crops; what, if any, measurements of Roundup residues are required to be made before cereal or other harvested crops enter the food chain either as animal or human food ingredients; whether imported grain or soya are tested in the United Kingdom for such residues; what are the maximum residue limits; and how often they have been exceeded in each of the last five years.

Lord Taylor of Holbeach: Roundup (containing the active substance glyphosate) is regulated in the UK by Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009. The operation of the regulation is underpinned in Great Britain by the Plant Protection Products Regulations 2011 and in Northern Ireland by the Plant Protection Products Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011.
	Authorisations for the use of Roundup are supported by data that indicate that residues (of glyphosate) expected to arise in foods or feedstuffs as a result of that use are within acceptable levels. The assessment takes into account residues that may arise in animals intended for human consumption as a result of eating treated feed.
	Maximum residue levels (MRLs) are set for foods marketed in the EU, including foods imported from third countries, reflecting the highest amount of residues expected to arise from the authorised use of pesticides. It is the responsibility of those putting food and feed into the supply chain to ensure that they comply with MRLs. Those set for glyphosate in cereals and soya are as follows:
	
		
			 Barley 20.0 mg/kg 
			 Buckwheat 0.1 mg/kg 
			 Maize 1.0 mg/kg 
			 Millet 0.1 mg/kg 
			 Oats 20.0 mg/kg 
			 Rice 0.1 mg/kg 
			 Rye 10.0 mg/k 
			 Sorghum 20.0 mg/kg 
			 Wheat 10.0 mg/kg 
			 Other cereals 0.1 mg/kg 
			 Soya 20.0 mg/kg 
		
	
	Imported grain and soya have not been tested for residues under the UK's monitoring programme for pesticide residues. However, grain grown in the UK and food products that contain wheat or soya from any country of origin and are available to UK consumers are included in the monitoring programme and are tested for residues of glyphosate. Bread is tested every year, wheat flour and soya products less frequently. In the past five years, no residues of glyphosate have been detected in these products at levels indicative of residues above the MRL in the unprocessed wheat or soya.

Armed Forces: Afghanistan

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking to ensure that parcels for United Kingdom forces in Afghanistan are not subject to unnecessary delays.

Lord Astor of Hever: Personnel deployed on specified operations, including in Afghanistan, and on board ships supporting those operations, benefit from the Enduring Free Mail Service. This is a joint venture between the British Forces Post Office and the Royal Mail and enables friends and family members to send packages from the UK weighing up to two kilograms free of charge.
	Personnel in Afghanistan receive their mail through local military distribution arrangements. Mail is delivered to troops deployed in Forward Bases as circumstances permit. Where this is not practicable, mail is held at main bases until their return.

Armed Forces: Contracts

Lord West of Spithead: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have put in place contingency plans for the re-allocation of design and building contracts for warships and other defence equipment to English, Welsh and Northern Irish enterprises in the event that Scotland separates from the United Kingdom.

Lord Astor of Hever: The Government are not making plans for independence as we are confident that people in Scotland will continue to support the Union in any referendum.

Asylum Seekers

Baroness Lister of Burtersett: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have conducted a formal assessment as to whether the level of financial support they provide for asylum-seeking families meets their obligations under Article 27 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and Article 11 of the International Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

Lord Henley: Support paid to asylum-seeking families is currently under review, in order to assess whether they continue to meet the Government's obligation to provide for "essential living needs", as set out in the Asylum Support Regulations 2000. The Government are satisfied that this test, provided for by Section 95 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, is compatible with our obligations under Article 27 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and Article 11 of the International Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

Asylum Seekers

Baroness Lister of Burtersett: To ask Her Majesty's Government why 16 and 17 year-old asylum-seeking young people are treated as adults for the purposes of financial assistance, unlike in the mainstream benefits system.

Lord Henley: Support paid to asylum seeking families is currently under review, in order to assess whether it continues to meet the Government's obligation to prevent asylum seekers becoming destitute and to enable them to meet their "essential living needs", as set out in the Asylum Support Regulations 2000. The support is expected to be temporary in its nature, and is paid in addition to fully equipped accommodation, with utility bills paid. The rate paid in respect of 16 and 17 year-olds is lower than the rate paid to children, though higher than that paid to adults, to reflect the fact that 16 and 17 year-old asylum seekers are not required to continue in full time education and are, therefore, in a position more akin to that of an adult.

Asylum Seekers

Baroness Lister of Burtersett: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether children's views were taken into account in the development of the asylum support system and in particular the Azure payment card scheme; and, if so, how.

Lord Henley: The basis of the asylum support system was established by the enactment of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. The views of children were not therefore specifically taken into account.
	The Azure payment card is the means by which failed asylum seekers supported under Section 4 of the 1999 Act obtain food and other essential living needs from supermarkets and other retail outlets. It replaced the previous payment system whereby these goods were obtained through vouchers. Children's views were not specifically taken into account before the change to the Azure card, but a wide range of voluntary sector organisations that work with children in the asylum system contributed their views.

Asylum Seekers

Baroness Lister of Burtersett: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on asylum-seeking children's welfare and safety of the cashless Azure payment card scheme.

Lord Henley: There has been no formal assessment, but regular meetings are held with the voluntary sector organisations that the UK Border Agency funds to assist people who need to use the Azure card in order to obtain food and other essential goods. One of the issues raised at the meetings is the difficulty some people have experienced in finding retail outlets that accept the card and the particular impact this has on those who have children. This is one of the reasons why arrangements have been made so that the card can now be used in over 8,800 outlets, including all branches of the main supermarket chains.

Atos Healthcare

The Countess of Mar: To ask Her Majesty's Government what effect the Local Medical Committee conference motion calling for the abolition of work capability assessments, passed on 22 May, will have on the management of work capability assessments conducted by ATOS Healthcare.

Lord Freud: The contract between ATOS Healthcare and DWP to deliver face-to-face assessments as part of the Work Capability Assessment is due to run until August 2015, with the option of a further two-year extension. The contract is under constant review to ensure that it delivers best value for money. As the department has already made clear, we will reopen a tendering process for the contract before 2015.
	The quality of ATOS Healthcare's reports is also subject to stringent quality checks and audit, and the work of all healthcare professionals is subjected to random quality audit by a system agreed with the department and conducted by experienced medical auditors within ATOS Healthcare. The quality of ATOS Healthcare's audit is validated by senior medical auditors from ATOS Healthcare and doctors working for the Chief Medical Adviser to the DWP.
	The department has already held constructive discussions with the BMA about the Work Capability Assessment and will look to maintain this dialogue.
	The department is committed to continuously improving the Work Capability Assessment to ensure that it is as fair and accurate as possible. Professor Malcolm Harrington's independent reviews have played and continue to play an important role in this.

Autism

Baroness Healy of Primrose Hill: To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of adults with autism who will not be able to supply evidence of their condition when undergoing the new personal independence payment assessment as they no longer have access to bodies that provide relevant evidence after being signed off from children's services.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government what advice they offer to adults with autism who cannot provide the evidence required when undergoing the new personal independence assessment as they no longer have access to support services which could provide such evidence after being signed off from children's services.

Lord Freud: No such estimates have been made.
	We want the assessment for Personal Independence Payment to be based on the best and most appropriate evidence, including information from claimants, from professionals involved in supporting them and, in most cases, gathered during a face-to-face consultation between the claimant and an independent health professional.
	We recognise that disabled people are experts in their own lives and as such they will be at the heart of the evidence-gathering process. They will be able to provide information through a tailored claim form, along with any supporting evidence they have that they feel appropriate. They will also be able to advise us on those professionals involved in supporting them, such as from their GPs, a specialist, social workers or support services, who we may wish to contact to seek information on the individual's circumstances.
	The exact evidence used will vary, depending on individual cases. In most cases we expect the health professional carrying out the assessment to have a face-to-face consultation with the claimant, allowing an in-depth look at their circumstances and how their health conditions or impairments affect their everyday lives. Individuals will be able to bring another person with them, such as a family member, carer or supporting professional, to help them during the consultation or remove any anxiety they may have.
	This personalised approach, considering evidence from a range of sources, should ensure that assessments for benefit entitlement are made on an informed basis.

Aviation: London Airports

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Attlee on 15 May (WA 3), whether they will determine the non-duty revenue and costs of transit flights into London to inform discussions on building a third runway at Heathrow, or other plans to increase airport capacity in the region.

Earl Attlee: The Government do not support a third runway at Heathrow. The Government intend to publish a consultation on a draft Aviation Policy Framework and a call for evidence on options for maintaining the UK's international aviation connectivity later this summer. The Government aim to adopt the final Aviation Policy Framework next spring.

Bangladesh

Lord Hussain: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will make representations to the Government of Bangladesh about the safety of Ms Zeba Khan, an opposition politician, once she returns to Bangladesh from the United Kingdom, in the light of the disappearances and alleged kidnappings of other opposition politicians.

Lord Howell of Guildford: We have repeatedly urged the Bangladeshi authorities to do all they can to prevent and investigate disappearances in Bangladesh.
	We have made no representations on the safety of Ms Zeba Khan specifically. We do not routinely make representations on behalf of individuals where we unaware of any threats to their safety.
	In a recent press conference, the UK High Commissioner to Bangladesh, and ambassadors of eight other European countries, called on the Bangladesh authorities to conduct thorough investigations into all disappearances.

Bank of England

Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government how much they have budgeted for the cost of the three independent reviews commissioned by the Bank of England; whether any of the reviewers will be paid; and, if so, how much.

Lord Sassoon: The cost of the three independent reviews is being borne by the Bank. It is not, at this stage, possible to know the eventual cost. The bank has, however, provisionally budgeted £600,000. The amount paid to individual reviewers has not been disclosed.

Bank of England

Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the three independent reviews commissioned by the Bank of England will be supported by independent secretariats or Bank staff.

Lord Sassoon: The bank is providing an independent secretariat and support unit. It is made up of bank staff but entirely at the disposal of, and accountable to, the three reviewers.

Bank of England

Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will consider asking the Bank of England to cease paying interest on reserve balances placed with the bank by other United Kingdom banks; and what is their assessment of the impact this would have on bank lending.

Lord Sassoon: Since March 2009, the Bank has paid Bank Rate of 0.5% on all commercial banks' reserves held at the Bank of England.
	The MPC discussed the merits of changing the structure of remuneration on commercial bank reserves at its meeting on 4 and 5 November 2009. The Committee agreed that "such an action would be unlikely to have a significant impact on the outlook, given the already low levels of short-term market rates and that asset purchases were currently a more effective instrument for affecting monetary conditions".
	The full minutes of the meeting are available at: http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/publications/minutes/Documents/mpc/pdf/2009/mpc0911.pdf

Banks: Iceland

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any money has been repaid by the Icelandic Depositors and Investor Guarantee Fund (DIGF); what steps are under way to retrieve outstanding monies from DIGF and how much is involved, with and without interest.

Lord Sassoon: In November 2008, following the Financial Services Authority's (FSA's) announcement that the UK branch of Landsbanki was in default, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) began payouts to UK depositors with Icesave. The FSCS made payments of approximately £4.5 billion to UK depositors in Icesave. These payments were made up of three different tranches:
	£2.3 billion for deposit balances up to EUR 20,887 (£16,872) that should have been paid by the Icelandic Depositors and Investor Guarantee Fund (DIGF);£1.4 billion for deposit balances above £16,872 and below £50,000 for which the FSCS is liable; and£0.8 billion for deposit balances above £50,000 for which HM Treasury is liable.
	As at 31 March 2011, no repayments had been made against the DIGF's liability of £2.3 billion. Recoveries will be determined by returns from the Landsbanki administration.
	Negotiations took place with Iceland, and in December 2010 a new loan agreement was initialled by the UK and Iceland in respect of the loan. This loan was ratified by the Icelandic Parliament, but on 8 April 2011 the loan agreement was rejected in an Icelandic referendum.
	As Iceland is a member of the European Economic Area (EEA), the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Surveillance Authority (ESA) has commenced proceedings against Iceland in the EFTA court in respect of this loan. This case, which the ESA is preparing, will confirm whether there is a legal obligation for Iceland to repay the amounts distributed by the UK and the Netherlands on behalf of Iceland. The UK will then look to negotiate a new loan agreement, which will include interest payable.

BBC: Support Services

Lord Roberts of Conwy: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the National Audit Office is able to examine more than the cost of BBC support services out of the total licence fee spending in 2010-11.

Baroness Garden of Frognal: Under the terms of the amended BBC Agreement, the subject matter of National Audit Office (NAO) reviews is at the discretion of the Comptroller and Auditor-General (CAG). In practice, NAO reviews cover a wide range of areas of BBC expenditure and are listed on the BBC Trust website: (http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/our_work/vfm/ index.shtml).
	The CAG is not, however, entitled to question the merits of any editorial or creative judgement of the BBC, nor of any policy objective of the BBC relating to the manner in which BBC services are made or distributed.

Bovine Tuberculosis

The Countess of Mar: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in the light of the reported major outbreak of bovine tuberculosis in camelids in East Sussex in April 2012 and reports that a camelid owner has contracted bovine tuberculosis that is of the same spolygotype as that found in her alpacas, they will review current surveillance and movement policies for camelids.

Lord Taylor of Holbeach: We are addressing these two unrelated events in different ways based on an assessment of the risks. In the case of the animal health risks, the Animal Health and Welfare Board for England (AHWBE) has already asked Defra to look at a quality assurance (TB herd accreditation) scheme for the camelid industry. We plan to use this as an opportunity to consider matters such as camelid movements, veterinary supervision and testing.
	The question of human health is primarily one for the Health Protection Agency and my officials have been working closely at a local and national level to inform an assessment of the risks. However, Defra's initial view is that the recently diagnosed case of Mycobacterium bovis TB in an alpaca keeper does not materially alter the current assessment that M. bovis infections in camelids pose a very low risk for the general public.

Bovine Tuberculosis

The Countess of Mar: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many camelids were slaughtered for meat in English and Welsh abattoirs in each year since 2003; and how many of those animals were found to have bovine tuberculosis lesions.

Earl Howe: The Food Standards Agency collects throughput data to ensure compliance with EC Regulation 882/2004 (charging) and to use as management information. Under Regulation 882/2004, the competent authority must ensure minimum charges for specified categories of animals. There is no specific category for camelids. These are classified as ruminants which will include other species. We are therefore unable to provide camelid specific data.

Bovine Tuberculosis

The Countess of Mar: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether all cases of bovine tuberculosis in non-bovine farmed animals are reported to the authorities; and, if not, what plans they have to improve rates of reporting.

Lord Taylor of Holbeach: TB in non-bovine species is a notifiable disease under the Tuberculosis (England) Order 2007. Under the order, carcasses of farmed mammals or mammals kept as pets affected with, or suspected of being affected with tuberculosis, are notifiable to the local office of the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA). The identification by a laboratory of the bovine TB bacterium (Mycobacterium bovis) in the tissues of any mammal is also notifiable to AHVLA.
	It is in owners' interests to do everything they can to stop the spread of this dreadful disease and we advise owners of non-bovine species who suspect their animals have TB to contact their local veterinary surgeon for advice. It is good husbandry practice to carry out a post-mortem veterinary examination on any domestic animals that die or have to be euthanised due to an undetermined condition. Regional AHVLA laboratories provide a subsidised post-mortem service to animal keepers and their private veterinarians.

British Citizenship

Lord Ashcroft: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the process by which a United Kingdom citizen may renounce citizenship.

Lord Henley: A British citizen, of full age and full capacity, may make a declaration of renunciation of citizenship under Section 12 of the British Nationality Act 1981.
	Applications should be made using Form RN1. The current fee for such an application is £229.
	Further guidance can be found at Chapter 19 of the Nationality Instructions, a copy of which I will place in the Library and which is available on the UK Border Agency website at http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov. uk/sitecontent/documents/policyandlaw/nationalityinstructions/nichapter19/.

British Indian Ocean Territory

Baroness Whitaker: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Howell of Guildford on 27 March (WA 240) indicating that there were "no plans to change the British Indian Ocean Territory marine protected area" and that the area was "fully compatible with United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea obligations", what are the grounds on which there was announced on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Overseas Territories website as last amended on 12 April an increase of the size of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) Marine Protected Area from 544,000 square kilometres to 640,000 square kilometres; and whether amended outer limit lines of the BIOT Fisheries (Conservation and Management) Zone 1991 and the BIOT Environment (Protection and Preservation) Zone 2003 had accordingly been communicated to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, as required by Article 75 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Lord Howell of Guildford: Due to a clerical error, the size of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) Marine Protected Area was incorrectly stated on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's website. This was corrected in April 2012 when the mistake was realised. The outer limits of the BIOT Fisheries (Conservation and Management) Zone 1991 and the BIOT Environment (protection and Preservation) Zone 2003 have not changed.

British Indian Ocean Territory

Baroness Whitaker: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Howell of Guildford on 27 March (WA 240) indicating that there were "no plans to change the British Indian Ocean Territory marine protected area" and that the area was "fully compatible with United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea obligations", whether the delimitation of the British Indian Ocean Territory marine protected area has been agreed with the Republic of the Maldives; and, if not, whether procedures for dispute settlement have been initiated in the absence of agreement, as required by Article 74 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Lord Howell of Guildford: There is no agreement delimiting the boundary between the Maldives and the British Indian Ocean Territory. There has been an initial discussion between the Government and the Republic of the Maldives. The UK regards the median line as the boundary between the Maldives and the British Indian Ocean Territory.

British Indian Ocean Territory

Baroness Whitaker: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Howell of Guildford on 27 March (WA 240), indicating that there were "no plans to change the British Indian Ocean Territory marine protected area" and that the area was "fully compatible with United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea obligations", how they intend to take enforcement measures against foreign vessels in the British Indian Ocean Territory marine protected area under Article 73 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, taking account of Article 56(2) of the Convention.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The Government have consistently made clear that the establishment of the Marine Protected Area around the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) is fully compatible with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The BIOT Patrol vessel, the Pacific Marlin is used to enforce the laws of the British Indian Ocean Territory and its use is also compatible with the convention.

Care Services: Elderly People

Lord Turnberg: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Secretary of State for Health's mandate for the NHS Commissioning Board will include the improvement of the care of older people with dignity.

Earl Howe: We have been clear that kindness and compassion, dignity and respect must be central to care, whoever provides it and wherever it is provided. Decisions about the content of the mandate will be made in a transparent way on the basis of a full public consultation, which will take place this summer.

Care Services: Funding

Baroness Greengross: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of spending on adult social care services by local authorities in the last year.

Earl Howe: Net expenditure on adult social care in 2010-11 was £14,605 million. This is the latest year for which data are available.

Chemical and Biological Weapons

Lord Judd: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their current policy towards disarmament with regard to chemical and biological weapons; and what progress is being made.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The Government are a state party to, and strong supporter of, the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC). Both conventions require states parties to destroy stocks of weapons that they possess. We ended our chemical and biological weapons programme in the 1950s. We call on all states that are not yet party to the CWC or the BTWC to adhere to them as soon as possible.

Chen Guangcheng

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the governments of China and the United States about the position of the blind human rights activist, Chen Guangcheng.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has followed Chen Guangcheng's case for some years. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right honourable friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) and the Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my honourable friend the Member for Taunton Deane (Mr Browne) have made frequent representations with the Chinese authorities. On 17 April Mr Browne expressed his concern about Chen's case, urging the authorities to lift all restrictions on Chen and his family, and to ensure that they are able to receive any necessary medical treatment.
	During the launch of the 2011 Annual Human Rights report on 30 April, the Foreign Secretary raised our concern for the welfare of Chen's family and associates and described the case as an "opportunity for the Chinese authorities to show they will not tolerate the abuse of power which Chen's case has exposed in many ways."
	We have been in contact with United States officials in Beijing and Washington since Chen entered the United States Embassy in Beijing on 25 April.
	We look to the Chinese Government to assure the rule of law and protect the rights of Chen's family and associates. We will continue to follow his case closely and raise any concerns with the Chinese Government bilaterally and through the European Union.

Civil Service

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty's Government what measures are in place to safeguard the role of the civil service in giving politically impartial and objective advice to Ministers of the Crown in accordance with the Civil Service Code regarding the development and execution of legislative and administrative measures.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: The Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 sets out the standards of conduct expected of civil servants.

Colombia

Baroness Turner of Camden: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the Government of Colombia regarding the state of human rights in that country, and particularly regarding recent murders of trade unionists.

Lord Howell of Guildford: Human rights continue to be an integral part of our dialogue and relationship with Colombia. The Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my honourable friend the Member for Taunton Deane (Mr Browne) discussed human rights with President Santos, Foreign Minister Holguin and Vice President Garzon during his visit to Colombia in March.
	Our embassy in Bogota regularly raises our concerns about the violence and intimidation suffered by human rights defenders, including trade unionists, with the Colombian Government. Our embassy also funded a study by the United Nations Development Programme last year into violence against trade unionists and is following up its recommendations with the Ministry of Labour.
	The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's 2011 Human Rights and Democracy Report outlined the important steps that the Santos Administration has taken to improve the human rights situation in Colombia, but also that more remains to be done. We urge the Colombian Government to provide greater protection for human rights defenders and their families, to reduce the length of time taken to investigate murders and forced disappearances, and to work with unions and employee organisations to strengthen labour relations in Colombia.

Competition Markets Authority

Lord Warner: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the new Competition Markets Authority, to be established by the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill, will have the power to intervene in any proposed mergers of NHS trusts that they consider to be anti-competitive.

Earl Howe: The Office of Fair Trading has not considered National Health Service Trusts to be enterprises for the purpose of the merger controls under the Enterprise Act 2002. The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill would not change the definition of enterprises for these purposes.

Courts: Closures

Lord Rosser: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord McNally on 14 December 2011 (WA 265-6), whether any Magistrates' Courts, Crown Courts or County Courts will have some or all of their courtrooms closed immediately preceding or during the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games; and, if so, which courts, for what reasons, and for what periods.

Lord McNally: Working with partner agencies Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has assessed all the potential impacts of the Olympic and Paralympic Games on court business. These include disruption to travel for staff and court users and any potential increase in workload. Following this assessment HMCTS has developed detailed plans that include a reduction in the overall number of courtrooms open in some courthouses over this period. I am confident that these plans will enable all urgent court business to be dealt with.
	The following tables contain a detailed breakdown of the standard number of courtrooms for the time of year and the proposed reduced number over the period of the Games by date and jurisdiction.
	
		
			 Reduced courtrooms for the Olympic Games 23 July-12 August 
			 Magistrates' Courts Standard no of courtrooms for time of year Proposed number of courtrooms 
			 Stratford 10 1-2 
			 Family at Stratford 2 0 
			 Thames 8 2 
			 Waltham Forest 3 0 
			 Highgate 3 2 
			 Highbury Corner 6 5 
			 Tottenham 3 2 
			 Greenwich 2 0 
			 Westminster 10* 5 
			 City of London 4 1 
			 Inner London Family 7 3 
			 Hammersmith 8 7 
			  66 28-29 
		
	
	
		
			 Crown Court Standard no of courtrooms for time of year Proposed number of courtrooms 
			 Snaresbrook 12-15 6 in wk 1, then 5 
			 Southwark 11 3 
			 Central Criminal Ct 13-15 9, then 6 in wk 3 
			 Isleworth 10-12 8 wks 1&3, 6 wk 2 
			 Inner London 8-9 6 wks 1&2 then 5 
			 Blackfriars 7 6 
			 Kingston 8-10 9, 8 then 7 
			 Harrow 7 6, 4 then 5 
			 Wood Green 7 6, 5 then 6 
			 Woolwich 6-7 6 then 5 wks 2&3 
			 Croydon 8-9 8 then 7 wk 3 
			 Totals 97-109 63-73 
		
	
	
		
			 County Court Standard no of courtrooms for time of year Proposed number of courtrooms 
			 Central London 15-18 13-16 
			 Clerkenwell and Shoreditch 6 5.5 
			 Mayors and City 3 2 
			 Bromley 7 6-7 
			 PRFD 17 15 
			 Uxbridge 4 3 
			 Wandsworth 4 3 
			 Bow 6 3 
			 Totals 62-65 50.5-54.5** 
		
	
	
		
			 Reduced courtrooms for the Paralympic Games 29 August-9 September 
			 Magistrates' Court Standard no of courtrooms for time of year Proposed number of courtrooms 
			 Stratford 10  
			 Thames 8 7 
			 Totals 18 1(1 
		
	
	
		
			 Crown Court Standard no of courtrooms for time of year Proposed number of courtrooms 
			 Snaresbrook 12-15 10-13 
			 Southwark 11 8-11 
			 Central Criminal Ct 13-15 9-13 
			 Isleworth 10-12 10 
			 Inner London 8-9 7-9 
			 Blackfriars 7 8-7 
			 Kingston 8-10 10 
			 Harrow 7 8 
			 Wood Green 7 8 
			 Woolwich 6-7 10-9 
			 Croydon 8-9 8 
			 Totals 97-109 96-106 
		
	
	* Note Westminster moved into new courthouse in October 2011 Courtrooms in old court were 8 but increased by 2 at new courthouse-no direct comparator. Assumption all courts run in new building
	** Note 0.5 sitting = a half day sitting

Crime: Sex Offenders

Baroness Smith of Basildon: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many sex offenders have reoffended in (1) the east of England, (2) London, and (3) the south-east region in each of the past seven years for which information is available.

Lord McNally: The Answer to the noble Baroness's Question has been provided using a breakdown of the Ministry of Justice's published proven re-offending statistics for the requested regions.
	The table below shows the number of adults (aged 18 or over) and juveniles (aged 10 to 17) with an index sexual offence that re-offended within a 12 month period for each year from 2003 to 2009 (the latest full calendar year for which data are available).
	
		
			 Number of adult and juvenile sex offenders who re-offended from 2003 to 20091 
			 Region Year Number of offenders Number of offenders who re-offended 
			 London 2003 112 9 
			  2004 104 12 
			  2005 147 15 
			  2006 201 23 
			  2007 200 42 
			  2008 243 54 
			  2009 279 54 
			 East of England 2003 89 12 
			  2004 86 * 
			  2005 97 9 
			  2006 91 9 
			  2007 132 12 
			  2008 123 19 
			  2009 137 17 
			 South East 2003 127 12 
			  2004 109 10 
			  2005 148 21 
			  2006 170 23 
			  2007 191 32 
			  2008 199 28 
			  2009 192 29 
		
	
	Proven reoffending is defined as any offence committed in a one year follow-up period and receiving a court conviction, caution, reprimand or warning in the one year follow up. Following this one year period, a further six months is allowed for cases to progress through the courts.
	* Data based on less than five re-offenders are removed.
	1 The figures are based on information drawn from the Police National Computer, which may differ slightly from information recorded in the Crown Court.

Cyprus

Lord Sharkey: To ask Her Majesty's Government which bi-zonal or bi-communal civil society organisations or projects in Cyprus they currently support.

Lord Howell of Guildford: We welcome bi-communal work in Cyprus, which is an important way of preparing the ground ahead of a settlement by building trust between the two communities. The UK supports directly the Committee for Missing Persons through both financial donations and by providing its accommodation. In the past 24 months, our High Commission has hosted the Stelios award for successful bi-communal businesses.

Cyprus

Lord Sharkey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to supporting the inclusion of Cypriot civil society organisations as active participants in negotiations over the reunion of Cyprus.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The UK is a firm supporter of the United Nations led settlement negotiations, however, as the negotiations are by Cypriots and for Cypriots it would be for the leaders of the two communities to consider and decide on the inclusion of Cypriot civil society organisations.

Dogs: Guide Dogs

Lord Morrow: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will propose that legislation be amended to have guide dogs reclassified as working dogs for tax purposes, though exempted from the high-protein diet.

Lord Sassoon: HMRC does not specify a definition of working dogs for the purpose of determining the VAT treatment of their food. It is the type of food that determines the VAT treatment. Dog food that is suitable for all types of dogs is standard rated as pet food.

Education: Biometric Recognition Systems

Lord Storey: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many schools and colleges that use biometric recognition systems do so with the consent of parents and guardians.

Lord Hill of Oareford: The Government do not hold this information centrally. Informal indications suggest that the use of automated biometric recognition systems in schools and colleges is reasonably widespread, with estimates that around 30% of secondary schools and 5% of primary schools use the systems. The Department for Education is currently consulting on draft advice for schools and colleges on their legal duties if they use automated biometric recognition systems. This includes obtaining parental consent, following provisions in the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, which are expected to come into effect from 1 September 2013. The consultation runs until 3 August 2012.

Education: Funding

Lord Storey: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many councils were eligible to bid for funding under the Priority School Building Programme; and of those, how many submitted bids and how many were successful.

Lord Hill of Oareford: The Priority School Building Programme (PSBP) was open to all schools and sixth-form colleges. Local authorities, dioceses, academy trusts and voluntary bodies were invited to submit applications on behalf of schools.
	The PSBP is targeted at schools with the most urgent building condition issues. We received 587 applications for the programme and we announced on 24 May that 261 schools will be rebuilt or have their building condition needs met through the PSBP.

Education: Funding

Lord Storey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what alternative means of funding are available for councils that are unsuccessful in bidding for funding from the Priority School Building Programme.

Lord Hill of Oareford: Local authorities receive capital funding for maintenance and basic need, and the Academies Capital Maintenance Fund is open to academies that have an urgent building condition need.
	Our planned investment in school buildings for the current spending review period includes over £4 billion to provide new school places, over £5 billion for maintenance and a mixture of private finance and capital investment that will build over 600 schools in this spending review period.

Egypt: Women

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what information they have received concerning the number of Coptic women who have been abducted in Egypt.

Lord Howell of Guildford: Our embassy in Cairo maintains an open communication channel with representatives of the Coptic Church and we are aware of reporting in Egypt of alleged abductions of Coptic women. We have not discussed specific cases with the Egyptian authorities, but we raise women's rights issues as part of our wider dialogue on human rights.

Egypt: Women

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking to help protect the rights of Coptic women who are abducted, and in some cases sexually abused, in Egypt.

Lord Howell of Guildford: Ministers have raised the issue of sectarian violence in Egypt on a number of occasions with the Egyptian authorities. We have urged them to revisit policies that discriminate on the basis of religion, to establish the conditions for pluralist and non-sectarian politics, and to enshrine the freedom of religion for all faiths in the new constitution and in law.
	Our embassy in Cairo maintains an open communication channel with representatives of the Coptic Church and we are aware of reporting in Egypt of alleged abductions of Coptic women. We have not raised specific cases of abductions with the Egyptian authorities, but we raise women's rights issues as part of our wider dialogue on human rights.

Elections: Police and Crime Commissioners

Lord Rennard: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 28 March (WA 261) regarding the cost of election addresses and election address booklets for the police and crime commissioner elections, what is their estimate of the cost of producing and distributing election address booklets for those elections on the basis of one per delivery point rather than one per elector.

Lord Henley: The Government policy's does not include distribution to each delivery point. Cost estimates are therefore not available.

Elections: Postal Votes

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether inability to get to a polling station is a criterion for obtaining a postal vote; what are the other current criteria; and whether they will require those applying for postal votes who are Commonwealth citizens with leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom to prove they still have that status before a postal vote is granted.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: Postal voting is available on demand to all registered electors without a requirement to prove whether or not they can attend their polling station in person. It has become the option of choice for voters who find it difficult to cast their vote in person, for whatever reason, and enables voters to participate who would otherwise be unable to do so.
	Commonwealth citizens may therefore apply for a postal vote provided they are properly registered. All applicants for postal votes are required to provide identifiers (signature and date of birth), which are checked against corresponding information submitted alongside their postal ballot paper.

Elections: Registration

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Wallace of Saltaire on 22 May (WA 41-2), whether they will ensure that the Directgov website adds that on "qualifying" Commonwealth citizens are eligible to register to vote; and that Directgov and the Electoral Commission's website in future explain what a "qualifying" Commonwealth citizen is in relation to eligibility to register.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: For the purposes of registering to vote, a qualifying Commonwealth citizen is an individual who has leave to enter or remain in the UK or does not require such leave. The Electoral Commission promotes awareness about registering to vote and how to vote, and its website already includes such clarification regarding "qualifying" commonwealth citizens at the following address: www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voter-registration.
	Directgov delivers information and practical advice about public services, including registering to vote. The Government endeavour to ensure that all information contained in the website is accurate, and has now updated the website to include the definition of a qualifying commonwealth citizen for electoral registration purposes.

Electoral Register

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many young people aged 18 to 24 were included in the electoral register in (1) 2010, (2) 2011, and (3) 2012.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, Director General for ONS, to Lord Roberts of Llandudno, dated May 2012.
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many young people aged 18 to 24 were included in the electoral register in (1) 2010, (2) 2011, and (3) 2012 (HL547).
	ONS does not hold the information requested. ONS collate and publish data on the number of people registered to vote in local and European government, and parliamentary elections. These data do not include information on the age of those people registered to vote.

Equality

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the details of the operation of, and what is the evidence of the impact in practice of, the employers' duty under the Equality Act 2010 to prevent third-party harassment; and what, if any, evidence they have on whether employees have conspired to create a harassment situation so as to obtain financial compensation from their employer.

Baroness Verma: On 15 May, we published a consultation, Equality Act 2010-Employer Liability for Harassment by Third Parties, through which we are seeking information about the practical impact of the third-party harassment provisions on employees and employers. This consultation can be found at: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/about-us/consultations/third-party-harassment/ and a copy will be placed in the Library. These provisions make an employer liable for repeated harassment of an employee by a third party such as a customer. The document makes clear that the provisions did not appear to fulfil any perceived need when they were introduced into domestic law in 2008 and, in keeping with this, we are only aware of one case ruled on by an employment tribunal since that date.
	It is not possible for employees to use the third party harassment provisions to conspire with each other to obtain financial compensation from their employer because these provisions do not apply to harassment of one employee by another. If any evidence exists of conspiracy to this end between employees and third parties, we would be interested to see it as part of the response to the consultation.

Equality

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty's Government what evidence they have about the benefits and costs of the exercise of the power of employment tribunals under the Equality Act 2010 to make appropriate recommendations to obviate or reduce the adverse effect of unlawful discrimination.

Baroness Northover: On 15 May 2012, we published a consultation, Equality Act 2010-Removing (a) Employment Tribunals' Power to Make Wider Recommendations in Discrimination Cases; and (b) the Procedure for Obtaining Information. Through this consultation we are seeking evidence on the costs and benefits of the exercise of the power of employment tribunals under the Equality Act 2010 to make appropriate recommendations to obviate or reduce the adverse effect of unlawful discrimination. This consultation can be found at: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/about-us/consultations/equality-act-wider-enforcement/.

Equality

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty's Government what evidence they have about the benefits and costs of the use of the questionnaire procedure in discrimination cases under the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 and subsequent anti-discrimination legislation to enable claimants to obtain information to determine if unlawful discrimination has occurred in their case.

Baroness Northover: Research carried out for the Government Equalities Office in June 2009 estimated awareness and usage of the individual questionnaire procedure prior to the Equality Act 2010. It estimated that 9,000-10,000 businesses had completed the previous versions of the forms, including the questionnaire procedure for discrimination cases under the Sex Discrimination Act 1975, taking five to six hours to complete. As a result of simplifying and consolidating the forms through the Equality Act 2010, the Government of the day estimated that the consolidated forms would result in a reduction of administrative burden on businesses of 25%, equivalent to £1.4 million per annum.
	On 15 May 2012, we published a consultation, Equality Act 2010-Removing (a) Employment Tribunals' Power to Make Wider Recommendations in Discrimination Cases; and (b) the Procedure for Obtaining Information. Through this consultation we are seeking evidence on the costs and benefits the use of the obtaining information procedure under the Equality Act 2010. This consultation can be found at: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/ publications/about-us/consultations/equality-act-wider-enforcement/.

EU: Agreements on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance

Lord Warner: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they would regard any extensions of European Union Agreements on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products as an upgrading of relations between Israel and the European Union; and, if so, whether they will take steps to block any such extensions.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The Agreement on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products (ACAA) with Israel is a technical trade agreement that would simplify Israeli exports of pharmaceutical products into the European Union (EU). This technical trade agreement was negotiated by the European Commission and signed by the Council of Ministers in May 2010. Consent of the ACAA by the European Parliament, which is required before the agreement can come into force, has been delayed, and is still under discussion.
	ACAAs are a specific type of mutual recognition agreement based on the alignment of the legislative system and infrastructure of the country concerned with those of the European Community. The UK does not consider that implementation of this technical agreement would represent an upgrade of relations between Israel and the EU.

EU: Agreements on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance

Lord Warner: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Howell of Guildford on 23 April (WA 319-20), whether they regard the lack of progress in implementing a two-state solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict as grounds for opposing any extension of Agreements on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products to open European Union markets to Israeli goods.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The Agreement on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products (ACAA) with Israel is a technical trade agreement that would simplify Israeli exports into the European Union (EU).
	ACAAs are a specific type of mutual recognition agreement based on the alignment of the legislative system and infrastructure of the country concerned with those of the European Community. The agreement was negotiated by the European Commission and signed by the Council of Ministers, with UK support, in May 2010. The agreement is currently being handled as a technical, not political issue, in line with standard EU practice. As such, the UK does not regard the lack of progress in implementing a two-state solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict as grounds for opposing its extension.

EU: Agreements on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance

Lord Warner: To ask Her Majesty's Government what industrial products are currently allowed to be imported into the United Kingdom from Israel under European Union Agreements on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products (ACAAs); whether they have discussed with European Union partners any extensions of ACAAs to include pharmaceutical products or other goods; and whether they will review the operation of ACAAs if Israel continues to blockade Gaza or allows further illegal settlements in the occupied territories.

Lord Howell of Guildford: At present, industrial products are not imported into the UK, or the EU, from Israel under European Union Agreements on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products (ACAAs). The technical trade agreement relating to pharmaceutical products was negotiated by the European Commission and signed by the Council of Ministers in May 2010. Consent of the ACAA by the European Parliament, which is required before the agreement can come into force, has been delayed, and is still under discussion.
	The extension of this agreement has not been discussed substantively by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office with EU partners, subsequent to the Council of Ministers' decision in May 2010. It is not current policy to link the operation of ACAAs to the Israeli blockade of Gaza or illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

EU: Taxation

Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will publish their assessment of the economic impact on the United Kingdom of the financial transactions tax proposed by the European Commission, including the proceeds projected to be accrued by the tax.

Lord Sassoon: The Financial Secretary to the Treasury responded to the House of Lords Economic and Financial Affairs Sub-Committee's report on the European Commission's legislative proposal for Financial Transaction Taxes on 24 May 2012. This response will, in due course, be available both on the Committee's website and in the Library of the House.

Fire Services: Funding

Lord Storey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that funding cuts to fire services will be distributed proportionately across all authorities in 2013-14.

Baroness Hanham: Decisions on 2013-14 and 2014-15 funding allocations are yet to be made. Provisional fire and rescue authority funding baselines will be announced at the usual time in November/December this year.
	The Government will publish a consultation this summer on how the baseline distribution will be set in 2013-14 and fire and rescue authorities are encouraged to respond with their views.
	I also refer the noble Lord to the letter sent by my honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Bob Neill) on 6 December 2010 to the hon. Member for Derby North (Chris Williamson), a copy of which is available in the Library of the House, which outlines how fire and rescue authorities can make sensible savings without impacting on the quality and breadth of services offered to their communities.

Food: Garlic and Chicken

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Taylor of Holbeach on 1 May (WA 449-50), what quotas with which countries exist for the importation of garlic; what tariff preference and non-preference arrangements are in place for importation of chicken eggs; and what is the basis on which the standard duty rates for garlic and chicken eggs have been set.

Lord Taylor of Holbeach: Garlic can be imported into the EU under two types of quota:
	annual non-preferential tariff quota: under which the garlic can be imported at a reduced rate of customs duty. Whilst the ad valorem rate of duty of 9.6% is payable, the specific duty of €1200 per tonne is not. The quota is divided into three parts, with annual quotas in tonnes: Argentina: 19,147; China: 33,700; and all other third (non-EU) countries: 6,023; andpreferential first come first served annual tariff quota: The countries benefiting from nil preferential rates of duty under this quota are Chile, Egypt and Morocco. Lebanon benefits from a reduced rate of duty under a preferential tariff quota.
	Under the EU's preferential trading arrangements and agreements, nil preferential rates of customs duty are available for imports of chicken eggs with:
	the African, Caribbean and Pacific Countries; the Overseas Countries and Territories; Albania; Andorra; Bosnia-Herzegovina; Croatia; Egypt; Former Yugoslavia Republic of Macedonia; Israel; Jordan; Lebanon; Kosovo; Moldova; Montenegro; The Occupied Palestinian Territory; San Marino; Serbia; South Africa; and South Korea.
	Nil preferential rates of duty are also available for chicken eggs originating in the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in the EU's Generalised System of Preferences (GSP). In order to benefit from these nil rates of duty, the eggs concerned must meet the relevant preferential rules of origin, which require that the eggs must be wholly produced in the preference receiving country concerned.
	The powers to establish tariffs/quotas for garlic and chicken eggs are set down in Council Regulation 1234/07 (Part III-Trade with third countries, Chapter II Imports). However, the actual rates are set as part of trade agreements.

Food: Labelling

Lord Morris of Manchester: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have commissioned any research to better understand which system of front of package food labelling would best support United Kingdom consumers in making informed choices about the food they purchase and consume; and, if they have not done so, whether there is any action they propose to take.

Earl Howe: This issue has been researched comprehensively in the United Kingdom, the European Union and in other countries around the world. The research indicates that consumers are able to make use of all the forms of front of pack labelling currently on the UK market to choose foods that are healthier but that they can find variation in formats confusing. The UK Governments have launched a consultation with the food industry and other partners to explore ways of achieving greater consistency and clarity in UK practice.

Gaza

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are making representations to the Government of Israel about an incident in Gaza on 17 May, in which Israel Defence Force tanks are alleged to have wounded seven Palestinians, including three elderly farmers.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The UK remains concerned about the situation in Gaza and by recent incidents in and around Gaza.
	Our embassy in Tel Aviv recently discussed with the office of the Co-ordinator of Government Activities in the Territories our continuing concerns over reports of civilian injuries and deaths in Israeli Defence Force operations in the West Bank and Gaza. We are aware of reports that seven Palestinians were injured in Gaza on 17 May, although the Israelis have publicly denied that there were any injuries in the operation. We have not raised the specific incidents on 17 May, but are continuing to monitor developments closely and to raise our concerns as appropriate.
	We continue to urge restraint on all sides and to condemn any acts that might lead to an escalation of the fragile situation on the ground or cause civilian casualties. All such violence represents both an unacceptable risk to innocent life and a real obstacle to direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.

Gibraltar

Lord Hoyle: To ask Her Majesty's Government why there were significant delays for cross-border travel between Spain and Gibraltar over the seven days to 21 May.

Lord Howell of Guildford: There have been delays of up to three hours for cross-border travel between Spain and Gibraltar in both directions as a result of detailed document and vehicle checks by the Spanish authorities of pedestrians and vehicles. We are discussing this with the Spanish Government. It is in the interests of communities on both sides of the border that the border functions efficiently.

Government Departments: Bonuses

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government how the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs defines bonus payments in the context of civil service pay; what proportion of civil servants are eligible to receive non-consolidated performance payments; and how they are selected for those payments.

Lord Taylor of Holbeach: Bonus payments are defined as "non-consolidated performance related payments" in the context of Civil Service pay
	Senior Civil Service in Core Defra
	The top 25% of performers are eligible to receive an end-year non-consolidated performance-related payment, determined through the annual appraisal process.
	Staff at Grade 6 and below (or equivalent) in core Defra
	End-year payments-the top 30% of performers (which is differentiated by the top 10% and next 20%) are eligible to receive an end-year non-consolidated performance related payment, determined through the annual appraisal process.
	In-year payments-all staff are eligible to receive a payment for one-off excellent achievements. This is determined via a nomination process. Payments are subject to a maximum ceiling and limited to 0.2% of paybill.

Government Departments: Bonuses

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government how the Foreign and Commonwealth Office defines bonus payments in the context of Civil Service pay; what proportion of civil servants are eligible to receive non-consolidated performance payments; and how they are selected for those payments.

Lord Howell of Guildford: Non-consolidated performance pay is an integral part of the pay and reward package for all staff in Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). Non-consolidated performance payments in the FCO have to be re-earned each year and so drive continuous good performance and do not increase consolidated salary costs. They are not reckonable for pension purposes.
	For staff in the Senior Civil Service (SCS), the proportion who can receive non-consolidated performance pay is determined centrally by the Cabinet Office and is based on recommendations by the Senior Salaries Review Body. For 2012, based on 2011-12 performance, this is based on the top 25% of staff. To determine who earns a non-consolidated performance payment, we moderate achievements during the reporting year against peers.
	For staff below the Senior Civil Service, Her Majesty's Treasury (HMT) has established guidelines but within these has devolved authority for determining pay and reward policies to departments. There are three levels of payment, which are based on the level of performance determined through the appraisal process. This is judged by the individual's line manager and quality controlled by a more senior countersigning officer.

Government Departments: Bonuses

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government how the Home Office defines bonus payments in the context of civil service pay; what proportion of civil servants are eligible to receive non-consolidated performance payments; and how they are selected for those payments.

Lord Henley: In the Home Office, one-off performance payments are non-consolidated, non-pensionable payments to reward high performance. For staff below the Senior Civil Service (SCS), each of the three pay bargaining units in the Home Office (Home Office HQ/United Kingdom Border Agency) (UKBA), the Identity and Passport Service, and the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) operates a slightly different set of performance payment schemes, which comprise one or more of the following elements.
	an end-of-year payment linked to the annual appraisal process to reward consistent high performance throughout the year. In the Home Office HQ/UKBA these are made to up to 35% of top performers following line management recommendation and, for the higher grades, assessment by a moderation panel;for the reporting year 2012-13 this percentage will be reduced to 25%;an in-year special payment to reward any individual for outstanding achievement on a one-off project or in specific difficult circumstances. These are made following line manager recommendation. In Home Office HQ/UKBA and CRB, 0.3% of the pay bill is set aside for this purpose; andin the Identity and Passport Service only, a flat-rate corporate payment is made to all satisfactory performers when corporate objectives are met. This was last paid in 2010, at a flat rate of £450 per head.
	In line with Cabinet Office guidance, all Senior Civil Servants in the Home Office are eligible for consideration for a non-consolidated performance payment and up to 25% of them will receive one for the 2011-12 performance year.
	The Home Office Remuneration Committee, chaired by the Permanent Secretary, decides SCS bonus payments, taking into account a range of factors, including job weight, complexity and level of challenge.

Government Departments: Smoking

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government what arrangements there are for officials of the Northern Ireland Office who smoke during office hours.

Earl Attlee: The Northern Ireland Office has designated external areas allocated for officials who wish to smoke during office hours. Arrangements for the use of these areas are agreed between officials and their line managers.

Government Departments: Smoking

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government what arrangements there are for officials of the Department of Energy and Climate Change who smoke during office hours.

Lord Marland: There are no specific arrangements in place in the Department of Energy and Climate Change for employees who smoke.

Government Departments: Smoking

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government what arrangements there are for officials of the Home Office who smoke during office hours.

Lord Henley: In accordance with the Health Act 2006, staff are prohibited from smoking on any Home Office premises, including land, vehicles and buildings. Staff do not have a specific entitlement to a smoking break during the working day.

Government Departments: Special Advisers

Lord Martin of Springburn: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether special advisers are required to register any hospitality given by commercial organisations; and whether a register is maintained for that purpose.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: Special advisers have access to induction and other training as required to enable them to carry out their duties.
	The most recent list is available on the Cabinet Office website at: http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/sites/default/files/resources/LIST-APRIL.pdf.

Government Departments: Special Advisers

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty's Government what training and guidance are given to special advisers, collectively and individually.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: Special advisers are required to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers, which forms part of their terms and conditions of appointment.
	Special advisers have access to induction and other training as required to enable them to carry out their duties.

Health and Social Care

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will ensure that different coding technologies in the health and care system are made consistent and integrated; and, if so, how.

Earl Howe: The department has published a strategy, The Power of Information: Putting All of Us in Control of the Health and Care Information We Need. This outlines the requirement to reduce the number of inconsistent or incompatible terminologies from 2015 to allow better integration between systems and across health and social care, and better information to support care and improvement of care. A copy has already been placed in the Library.
	The National Health Service Commissioning Board will lead and co-ordinate work on implementing this strategy which will include the work to ensure consistency in coding technologies.

Health and Social Care Act 2012

Baroness Gould of Potternewton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the risk assessment in respect of the Health and Social Care Act 2012 included an examination of the transfer of public health to local government; and, if so, whether any risk was identified in the risk register.

Earl Howe: The transfer of public health to local government is an integral component of the health and social care reforms, and all aspects of its design and implementation, including possible risks, have been considered carefully.
	The specific information on risks contained within the transition risk register is covered by the exemption under Section 35(1)(b) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, which exempts from disclosure information relating to the formulation and development of policy. Information relating to the programme risks will be reviewed at designated intervals during the programme and will be published when the balance of public interest favours disclosure.

Health: Access to Records

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will ensure that general practitioners provide patients with access to their medical records; and, if so, how.

Earl Howe: As set out in the department's information strategy, The Power of Information-Putting All ofUs in Control of the Health and Care Information We Need, all National Health Service patients will have secure online access, where they wish it, to their personal general practice records by 2015. The Government have asked the Royal College of General Practitioners, working in partnership with patient groups and other professional organisations, to lead development of a plan, policy and procedures to support patient access and engagement with their general practitioner records.
	From April 2013, people will be able to see which general practices make available online access to records and other transactional services-via the NHS Choices website and, later, a national, single online portal.

Health: Biochemical Serum Tests

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many women received a high-risk result following a biochemical serum test in each of the past 10 years.

Earl Howe: The department does not collect these figures centrally but the NHS Fetal Anomaly Screening Programme has been auditing these figures since 2006.
	
		
			  Apr 2007-Sep 2007 Oct 2007-Mar 2008 Apr 2008-Sep 2008 Oct 2008-Mar 2009 Apr 2009-Sep 2009 Oct 2009-Mar 2010 Apr 2010-Sep 2010 Oct 2010-Mar 2011 Apr 2011-Sep 2011 Oct 2011-Mar 2012 
			 Number screened 180,275 187,687 213,101 196,245 207,182 235,179 248,367 259,724 275,674 266,638 
			 Screen positive 9575 9444 11038 9280 7561 8349 8422 8703 9060 8263 
			 Screen positive 5.5 5.1 5 4.6 3.6 3.4 3.3 3.1 3 2.7 
		
	
	These figures include the results of screening using biochemical serum only and biochemical serum combined with ultrasound.

Health: Cardiology

Baroness Cumberlege: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people with a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation have died from a stroke or other thromboembolic event in each primary care trust in England in each of the past five years.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, Director General for ONS, to Baroness Cumberlege, dated May 2012.
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many people with a diagnosis ofatrial fibrillation have died from a stroke or other thromboembolic event in each primary care trust in England in each of the last five years [HL325].
	Table 1 provides the number of deaths registered where the underlying cause of death was either: stroke or a thromboembolic event and atrial fibrillation was mentioned on the death certificate for each primary care organisation in England, between 2006 and 2010 (the latest year available).
	A copy of Table 1 has been placed in the House of Lords Library.
	Internationally accepted guidance from the World Health Organisation requires only those conditions that contributed directly to death to be recorded on the death certificate. Medical practitioners and coroners are not supposed to record all of the diseases or conditions present at or before death. Whether a condition contributed to the death is a matter for their clinical judgement. Therefore these figures are likely to underestimate the number of people diagnosed with atrial fibrillation that have died from stroke or other thromboembolic events.
	Figures have been provided where atrial fibrillation was mentioned on the death certificate. This means that atrial fibrillation contributed to the death but does not necessarily mean that it led to the condition selected as the underlying cause. For some thromboembolic events, such as deep vein thrombosis, atrial fibrillation is an unrelated condition and is highly unlikely to have caused the thrombosis.
	
		
			 Table 1. Number of stroke or other thromboembolic event deaths where atrial fibrillation was mentioned on the death certificate, primary care organisations, England, 2006-101,2,3,4 
			Deaths 
			   Stroke Other thromboembolic events 
			   22006 22007 22008 22009 22010 22006 22007 22008 22009 22010 
			 North East
			  County Durham 10 20 22 18 28 9 10 10 15 13 
			  Darlington 0 4 0 5 7 4 2 2 3 5 
			  Gateshead 3 11 7 12 9 6 3 7 7 3 
			  Hartlepool 5 2 8 1 3 2 2 0 4 2 
			  Middlesbrough 4 7 4 6 6 2 1 4 3 0 
			  Newcastle 15 10 14 16 14 5 2 7 3 11 
			  North Tyneside 9 7 16 13 12 3 4 4 7 7 
			  Northumberland 19 8 16 10 15 0 5 4 9 5 
			  Redcar and Cleveland 4 7 9 7 7 3 1 2 2 2 
			  South Tyneside 6 15 6 8 2 10 7 9 7 11 
			  Stockton-on-Tees Teaching 2 4 13 4 12 1 3 1 4 1 
			  Sunderland Teaching 16 8 10 7 21 16 8 8 5 9 
			 North West
			  Ashton, Leigh and Wigan 9 3 7 6 8 6 9 11 5 8 
			  Blackburn with Darwen Teaching 3 3 3 2 3 1 3 2 0 1 
			  Blackpool 7 11 8 6 6 4 2 3 6 7 
			  Bolton Teaching 8 10 2 9 8 7 5 6 7 5 
			  Bury 3 10 3 7 16 2 4 5 6 5 
			  Central and Eastern Cheshire 20 22 23 29 26 10 9 19 13 11 
			  Central Lancashire 14 17 19 18 18 5 5 7 6 10 
			  Cumbria Teaching 13 23 19 18 26 7 13 11 12 13 
			  East Lancashire Teaching 11 8 12 23 19 9 12 5 3 6 
			  Halton and St Helens 14 19 13 10 15 15 8 10 13 11 
			  Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale 8 6 15 8 12 5 5 8 7 8 
			  Knowsley 6 7 6 3 0 6 6 5 5 3 
			  Liverpool 27 20 15 18 22 12 22 17 19 13 
			  Manchester Teaching 7 14 9 10 18 5 8 5 3 7 
			  North Lancashire Teaching 11 9 15 19 16 9 10 7 8 12 
			  Oldham 5 7 4 4 10 5 8 4 4 4 
			  Salford 6 2 8 11 7 6 8 4 4 6 
			  Sefton 8 25 14 16 21 7 15 13 9 13 
			  Stockport 14 14 15 16 18 5 6 16 17 8 
			  Tameside and Glossop 9 13 8 16 13 9 7 7 8 6 
			  Trafford 6 8 12 12 8 5 4 5 7 2 
			  Warrington 5 16 7 8 14 3 6 3 3 3 
			  Western Cheshire 13 12 13 14 8 3 3 7 6 4 
			  Wirral 26 38 30 26 30 34 25 38 21 23 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber
			  Barnsley 7 0 4 12 7 2 2 3 3 1 
			  Bradford and Airedale Teaching 16 24 24 24 26 11 12 18 16 12 
			  Calderdale 2 6 10 6 8 3 5 6 5 2 
			  Doncaster 12 17 10 8 9 6 6 10 8 2 
			  East Riding of Yorkshire 11 25 22 21 31 12 6 9 8 8 
			  Hull Teaching 10 15 12 10 14 8 8 10 7 11 
			  Kirklees 11 15 12 20 17 10 10 12 11 18 
			  Leeds 29 32 34 28 28 23 19 24 19 22 
			  North East Lincolnshire 5 9 9 5 8 9 14 15 11 14 
			  North Lincolnshire 5 5 9 11 14 10 6 7 6 9 
			  North Yorkshire and York 34 31 43 45 48 18 12 18 34 34 
			  Rotherham 12 4 12 8 12 5 5 5 4 5 
			  Sheffield 17 23 19 41 36 12 13 18 8 4 
			  Wakefield District 9 9 10 11 13 7 7 6 11 11 
			 East Midlands
			  Bassetlaw 6 3 2 9 6 3 1 4 4 6 
			  Derby City 5 10 11 6 15 5 6 4 6 10 
			  Derbyshire County 26 45 54 28 51 14 32 23 28 23 
			  Leicester City 9 3 5 5 15 9 8 5 5 12 
			  Leicestershire County and Rutland 21 9 20 24 33 16 14 9 14 14 
			  Lincolnshire Teaching 33 31 30 36 39 27 17 24 26 27 
			  Northamptonshire Teaching 21 24 21 19 33 23 16 4 15 12 
			  Nottingham City 9 10 9 12 12 7 4 8 5 5 
			  Nottinghamshire County Teaching 19 21 33 24 30 24 18 22 18 17 
			 West Midlands
			  Birmingham East and North 16 19 26 32 21 18 15 17 19 12 
			  Coventry Teaching 21 25 16 16 21 11 13 11 6 10 
			  Dudley 13 13 13 17 22 21 19 13 12 9 
			  Heart of Birmingham Teaching 5 9 11 6 8 10 7 3 3 11 
			  Herefordshire 7 10 6 21 9 5 2 1 4 7 
			  North Staffordshire 9 10 4 8 11 5 6 3 7 1 
			  Sandwell 9 13 17 13 18 18 13 19 23 10 
			  Shropshire County 13 12 7 11 14 8 8 3 5 7 
			  Solihull 12 5 5 12 11 7 7 5 7 8 
			  South Birmingham 13 21 16 14 21 14 10 9 7 10 
			  South Staffordshire 29 31 29 35 40 22 25 18 21 24 
			  Stoke on Trent 13 9 6 9 4 4 6 4 9 8 
			  Telford and Wrekin 4 2 2 6 6 1 1 1 2 3 
			  Walsall Teaching 12 5 18 9 15 14 10 9 14 15 
			  Warwickshire 29 20 26 27 31 17 15 15 18 26 
			  Wolverhampton City 6 14 8 12 16 15 4 7 7 11 
			  Worcestershire 15 17 27 20 31 13 9 12 9 9 
			 East of England
			  Bedfordshire 11 10 15 29 15 11 10 15 23 18 
			  Cambridgeshire 27 20 27 22 21 10 11 16 20 16 
			  Great Yarmouth and Waveney 12 12 14 24 18 8 5 7 6 12 
			  Luton 3 6 9 4 5 4 3 3 5 2 
			  Mid Essex 3 8 9 14 26 7 3 6 7 4 
			  Norfolk 30 35 45 46 46 22 14 23 27 35 
			  North East Essex 8 3 5 16 24 7 4 12 5 6 
			  Peterborough 6 7 8 6 13 2 6 2 1 7 
			  South East Essex 7 8 11 19 18 4 7 4 4 5 
			  South West Essex 12 13 28 11 16 4 9 9 10 16 
			  Suffolk 20 43 34 39 46 16 12 21 24 27 
			  West Essex 8 10 14 8 16 7 10 7 5 7 
			  Hertfordshire 40 35 38 49 60 16 22 16 27 20 
			 London
			  Barking and Dagenham 6 4 2 2 4 4 1 1 5 4 
			  Barnet 6 6 4 14 10 7 5 12 2 2 
			  Bexley 9 10 13 12 17 3 4 6 3 7 
			  Brent Teaching 4 4 2 2 7 3 3 2 2 1 
			  Bromley 12 13 27 17 25 7 8 10 12 7 
			  Camden 4 2 3 4 4 4 1 3 2 2 
			  City and Hackney Teaching 6 4 5 7 11 1 5 1 2 2 
			  Croydon 7 11 10 5 6 6 10 3 3 6 
			  Ealing 6 6 5 5 9 7 1 3 3 6 
			  Enfield 7 9 8 8 17 8 7 3 6 6 
			  Greenwich Teaching 7 1 4 8 14 2 3 5 3 0 
			  Hammersmith and Fulham 3 5 2 4 3 4 1 3 1 3 
			  Haringey Teaching 4 5 3 6 4 1 1 2 3 8 
			  Harrow 4 2 4 3 3 4 4 4 1 0 
			  Havering 10 10 9 8 12 3 5 7 3 10 
			  Hillingdon 5 8 8 9 6 0 2 3 2 2 
			  Hounslow 8 5 5 6 7 6 6 5 5 10 
			  Islington 6 4 4 3 3 0 2 1 2 1 
			  Kensington and Chelsea 1 1 4 5 5 1 1 0 0 0 
			  Kingston 5 3 7 7 2 4 1 2 6 3 
			  Lambeth 5 4 2 6 7 6 0 3 4 3 
			  Lewisham 2 5 8 9 14 1 2 3 5 6 
			  Newham 3 0 4 6 5 3 3 6 4 5 
			  Redbridge 11 8 12 13 10 3 3 5 2 7 
			  Richmond and Twickenham 6 4 4 5 4 4 1 6 1 6 
			  Southwark 2 1 7 4 1 1 5 4 3 0 
			  Sutton and Merton 9 6 14 12 11 6 7 9 6 7 
			  Tower Hamlets 2 3 4 2 6 2 5 2 0 1 
			  Waltham Forest 8 9 7 14 8 1 7 4 9 5 
			  Wandsworth 8 5 11 5 2 3 3 1 3 3 
			  Westminster 4 6 2 4 4 2 2 5 3 4 
			 South East Coast
			  Brighton and Hove City 12 15 13 10 15 7 8 11 16 6 
			  East Sussex Downs and Weald 14 15 19 17 18 7 5 7 7 5 
			  Eastern and Coastal Kent 18 30 36 28 35 13 14 6 11 14 
			  Hastings and Rother 12 13 9 11 3 0 11 9 9 3 
			  Medway 8 3 11 5 11 2 6 9 7 4 
			  Surrey 32 37 44 55 41 19 21 21 25 23 
			  West Kent 20 14 22 20 30 5 10 17 10 9 
			  West Sussex 31 42 31 36 46 18 12 16 21 18 
			 South Central
			  Berkshire East 4 12 11 15 15 7 7 5 9 7 
			  Berkshire West 11 13 8 14 13 7 11 6 8 7 
			  Buckinghamshire 17 18 13 29 27 13 10 13 4 17 
			  Hampshire 50 37 36 63 61 17 19 21 15 20 
			  Isle of Wight National Health Service 10 4 10 15 10 8 3 3 4 1 
			  Milton Keynes 4 3 2 1 6 0 2 1 1 3 
			  Oxfordshire 14 7 14 18 23 11 5 12 11 13 
			  Portsmouth City Teaching 6 8 10 4 7 3 4 8 2 2 
			  Southampton City 8 3 6 11 4 2 8 4 2 7 
			 South West
			  Bath and North East Somerset 16 3 7 7 12 1 3 0 3 5 
			  Bournemouth and Poole Teaching 16 13 11 22 30 9 5 7 11 12 
			  Bristol 6 12 13 9 10 6 7 6 6 8 
			  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly 9 21 22 27 14 7 10 9 8 6 
			  Devon 21 29 33 26 35 12 13 9 17 15 
			  Dorset 9 12 24 37 39 5 7 14 13 10 
			  Gloucestershire 17 19 10 26 23 3 9 12 9 7 
			  North Somerset 6 6 7 10 15 5 1 10 3 5 
			  Plymouth Teaching 6 6 6 9 5 1 2 2 4 1 
			  Somerset 22 20 33 34 47 10 9 10 8 15 
			  South Gloucestershire 5 4 4 2 2 0 1 4 3 3 
			  Swindon 2 7 8 6 7 3 8 5 7 6 
			  Torbay 11 3 2 8 2 4 1 3 2 2 
			  Wiltshire 20 18 14 17 14 6 9 5 7 7 
		
	
	1 Underlying cause of death of "stroke" and "other thromboembolic event" was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, tenth revision (ICD-10) as:
	Stroke-161, 163, 164
	Other thromboembolic event: Deep vein thrombosis-180.1-180.3, 180.9, 182.9
	Pulmonary embolism-126
	Myocardial infarction and coronary thrombosis-121-124.0
	Arterial embolism and thrombosis-174
	2 Deaths were included where atrial fibrillation (148) was mentioned anywhere on the death certificate.
	3 Figures are for deaths registered in the calendar year and exclude non-residents
	4 Based on boundaries as of February 2012
	Source: Office for National Statistics

Health: Complementary and Alternative Medicines

Lord Empey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their policy towards the use of homeopathic medicines in the National Health Service.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether homeopathic remedies can be prescribed by general practitioners in the National Health Service.

Earl Howe: The department does not maintain a position on any particular complementary or alternative therapies including homeopathy. It is the responsibility of local National Health Service organisations to make decisions on the commissioning and funding of such treatments, taking account of issues to do with safety, clinical and cost-effectiveness and the availability of suitably qualified/regulated practitioners.
	Under their terms of service, general practitioners in England are allowed to prescribe any product, including any unlicensed product such as a homeopathic remedy, which they consider to be a medicine necessary for the treatment of their patients under the National Health Service, subject to two provisos. These are that the product is not included in Schedules 1 or 2 to the National Health Service (General Medical Services Contracts) (Prescription of Drugs etc) Regulations 2004, and that they are prepared to justify any challenges to their prescribing by their primary care trust.

Health: Diabetes

Lord Morris of Aberavon: To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the different considerations in collecting separate data on numbers of, medication for, and expenditure on, sufferers of diabetes 1 as opposed to diabetes 2.

Earl Howe: Data are currently collected on type 1 and type 2 diabetics through the National Diabetes Audit and through the Quality Outcomes Framework. We cannot fully answer this question as information on medication and expenditure for type 1 or type 2 diabetes is not currently divided, but looked at as a whole.
	The following table shows the number of registered patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes from the 2009-10 audit period.
	
		
			 Diabetes Type Registration from Primary Care Registrations from Secondary Care 
			 Type 1 173,354 10,420 
			 Type 2 1,686,599 22,892 
			 MODY 427 33 
			 Other specified 11,941 2,967 
			 Not specified 9,380 11,972 
			 Total 1,881,701 48,284 
		
	
	In the financial year 2010-11 there were 38.3 million items prescribed for diabetes (British National Formulary (BNF) section 6.1) at a net ingredient cost of £725.1 million. We do not currently separate this data into medication for type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
	Prescribing for Diabetes in England 2005-06 to 2010-11 details costs associated to prescribed medicine usage, but not the type of diabetes, prescribed to treat. This has been placed in the Library and can be found online at the following web address: www.ic.nhs.uk/webfiles/publications/prescribing%20diabetes%20200506% 20to%20201011/Prescribing_for_Diabetes_in_ England_20056_to_201011.pdf.
	The department currently estimates that it spends £1.3 billion annually on diabetes.

Health: Funding

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will ensure that tackling inequalities is a key priority in healthcare when the funding formula for allocations to primary care trusts and clinical commissioning groups are weighted according to the number of elderly people; and, if so, how.

Earl Howe: The final round of primary care trust allocations was made on 14 December 2011 for 2012-13.
	From 2013-14, the NHS Commissioning Board will allocate resources to clinical commissioning groups. The Health and Social Care Act 2012 contains the first ever legal duties on health inequalities for National Health Service commissioners and the Secretary of State.
	The NHS Commissioning Board is under a duty to have regard to the need to reduce inequalities in access to, and the outcomes of, healthcare. This applies to everything it does, including its approach to allocating resources.

Health: Human Papilloma Virus

Baroness Masham of Ilton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will consider vaccinating men who have sex with men against the human papilloma virus.

Earl Howe: The aim of the national human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination programme is to prevent cervical cancer in women. The best way to do this is to vaccinate girls and young women.
	The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), an independent expert committee, keeps the eligibility criteria of all vaccination programmes under review. Research is under way to support a future assessment by JCVI of HPV vaccination of men who have sex with men.

Health: Human Papilloma Virus

The Countess of Mar: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 22 May (WA 47-8), what precautions are in place to ensure that parents whose daughters may have immune system dysfunctions are not pressurised into giving consent for their daughters to receive human papilloma virus vaccinations.

Earl Howe: Immunisation in the United Kingdom is voluntary. Guidance on explaining about the vaccination to be given, and obtaining consent, is set out in Immunisation Against Infectious Disease-"The Green Book". This has already been placed in the Library. The medical professional providing the vaccine should check at the time of vaccination with the patient, or their parent or guardian, on their medical history and any possible previous reaction to the vaccine or its constituents.
	The presence of immune system dysfunctions does not necessarily preclude receiving HPV vaccination. Individuals who are immunosuppressed may not develop a full antibody response to the vaccine, and may therefore not receive the same degree of protection against HPV.

Health: Liver Disease

Baroness Randerson: To ask Her Majesty's Government why the publication of their Liver Strategy has been delayed; and what is the estimated date for its publication.

Earl Howe: Work to develop the liver disease outcomes strategy, and its related workstreams, continues under the clinical leadership of Professor Martin Lombard, National Clinical Director for Liver Disease. The National Health Service and public health stakeholders are working together to ensure that the response to the rising demand for liver disease services is adequate and supports improvement against the NHS outcomes framework and the public health outcomes framework.
	Publication of the strategy has been delayed because of the need to reflect the new organisations described in the Health and Social Care Act 2012, and how the new responsibilities and accountabilities provided by that Act will be discharged. The liver disease outcomes strategy will be published once we are satisfied it reflects accurately who will be responsible for the delivery of the changes needed to achieve the aspiration of reducing premature mortality from liver disease and improving both patient experience and the quality of care.
	In the interim a number of workstreams are in hand across the NHS. NHS Liver Care has been established to provide a virtual working environment for national and local healthcare professionals involved in the planning and delivery of liver services. A series of liver disease engagement workshops is in hand across England. Workshops in primary care involve collaboration with Royal College of General Practitioners to improve primary care education about viral hepatitis, in order to improve awareness and detection of liver disease developing from this cause.

Health: Lyme Disease

The Countess of Mar: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many individual patients' blood samples were tested for Lyme diseases at the Southampton Lyme borreliosis unit and the Lyme borreliosis microbiology unit at Carlisle using (1) ELISA test kits, (2) C6 ELISA test kits, and (3) Western Blot test kits; and how many patients received (a) positive, and (b) equivocal, test results for each test for each year from 2006-10 inclusive.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many individual patients had blood samples tested for Lyme borreliosis using ELISA test kits at Health Protection Agency microbiology laboratories, other than the Southampton Lyme borreliosis unit, for each year from 2006-10 inclusive; and how many patients received (1) positive, and (2) equivocal results for Lyme borreliosis.

Earl Howe: None of the Health Protection Agency (HPA) microbiology laboratories perform confirmatory diagnostic testing for Lyme. However, HPA South West Public Health Laboratory, Bristol performs pre-screens. If positive or equivocal, these are referred to the HPA Lyme Borreliosis Unit at Southampton, where all diagnostic confirmation for Lyme disease is currently performed.
	The requested data, from the HPA Lyme Borreliosis Unit at Southampton, are set out in the following tables.
	
		
			 ELISA Test Kits1 IgG EIA2 IgM EIA3 
			 2006 Positives4- 25 Positives - 9 
			  Equivocal5 - 6 Equivocal - 1 
			  Total tested - 157 Total tested - 157 
			 2007 Positives - 289 Positives - 132 
			  Equivocal - 85 Equivocal - 42 
			  Total tested - 1822 Total tested - 1818 
			 2008 Positives - 269 Positive - 245 
			  Equivocal - 74 Equivocal - 66 
			  Total tested - 1350 Total tested - 1293 
			 2009 Positives - 288 Positive - 398 
			  Equivocal - 96 Equivocal - 87 
			  Total tested - 1414 Total tested - 1361 
			 2010 Positives - 206 Positive - 296 
			  Equivocal - 85 Equivocal - 90 
			  Total tested - 1107 Total tested - 1060 
		
	
	
		
			 C6 ELISA6  
			 2006 Positives - 910 
			  Equivocal - 39 
			  Total tested - 7838 
			 2007 Positives - 1216 
			  Equivocal - 206 
			  Total tested - 10297 
			 2008 Positives - 1397 
			  Equivocal - 158 
			  Total tested - 12019 
			 2009 Positives - 1426 
			  Equivocal - 184 
			  Total tested - 13232 
			 2010 Positives - 1241 
			  Equivocal - 276 
			  Total tested - 13224 
		
	
	
		
			 Western Blot7 test kits IgG Blot8 IgM Blot9 
			 2006 Positives - 717 Positives - 685 
			  Equivocal - 494 Equivocal - 634 
			  Total tested - 4240 Total tested - 3142 
			 2007 Positives - 882 Positives - 804 
			  Equivocal - 17 Equivocal - 841 
			  Total tested - 5491 Total tested - 4103 
			 2008 Positives - 891 Positive - 972 
			  Equivocal - 558 Equivocal - 916 
			  Total tested - 6303 Total tested - 3879 
			 2009 Positives - 940 Positive - 1121 
			  Equivocal - 560 Equivocal - 965 
			  Total tested - 7267 Total tested - 4985 
			 2010 Positives - 1049 Positive - 1086 
			  Equivocal - 550 Equivocal - 1097 
			  Total tested - 7224 Total tested - 4958 
		
	
	Notes:
	1 ELISA: acronym for Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay: method used to capture either specific target antigen or antibody, either in a liquid or solid phase assay, to detect the presence of these targets in clinical and other samples.
	2 IgG EIA: ELISA detecting specifically the immunoglobulin class IgG.
	3 IgM EIA: ELISA detecting specifically the immunoglobulin class IgM.
	4 Positives: where an assay signal or reaction has met or satisfied defined preset criteria, eg cut off values or reaction pattern, for an interpretation to be made of presence of either a specific antigen or antibody.
	5 Equivocal: where an assay signal or reaction has not met a complete set of defined preset criteria to satisfy an interpretation of positive, but is demonstrating sufficient reactivity that requires further investigation, perhaps by alternative assay or by a repeat specimen.
	6 C6 ELISA: A commercial ELISA utilising a synthetic peptide (a component part of a protein designed to enhance specificity).
	7 Western Blot: or alternatively called immunoblot: a system for separating target proteins/polypeptides for challenge with a clinical sample. This system increases the specificity of detection for target material where other assays may suffer lack of specificity but are more sensitive as a prescreen. Therefore, an immunoblot(Western Blot) can be used as a second tier test to confirm prescreen results.
	8 IgG Blot: An immunoblot where the system detects specifically the IgG immunoglobulin class.
	9 IgM Blot:An immunoblot where the system detects specifically the IgM immunoglobulin class.

Health: Patient Internet Access

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether patients will have online access to their general practitioner by 2015.

Earl Howe: The Department published its information strategy The Power of Information: Putting Us All in Control of the Health and Care Information We Need on 21 May 2012. Copies of the strategy are available in the Library.
	The strategy confirms that, by 2015, all general practices will be expected to make available electronic booking and cancelling of appointments, ordering of repeat prescriptions, communication with the practice and access to records to anyone registered with the practice that requests these services. Some general practitioners may decide that they can only provide online access to records and to attached letters from a specific date onward, rather than to give access to historical information (which may not have been written with patient access in mind).
	In line with the recommendations of the NHS Future Forum, the Government have engaged with the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) to work in partnership with patient groups and other professional organisations to lead development of a plan to support people to access services and their records electronically. The NHS Commissioning Board will be asked to work with the RCGP and other partners to promote this work from 2013 onwards.

Health: Patient Internet Access

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have plans in place to ensure that general practitioners offer the option of online appointments booking; and, if so, what are their plans.

Earl Howe: As set out in the department's information strategy, The Power of Information-Putting All of Us in Control of the Health and Care Information We Need, all general practices will be expected to make electronic booking and cancelling of appointments available by 2015. The majority of general practices already have this functionality within existing general practitioner information technology systems. The NHS Commissioning Board will be taking forward implementation of these arrangements.
	From April 2013, people will be able to see which general practices make available online access to records and other transactional services-via the NHS Choices website and, later, a national, single online portal.

Health: Radiology

Baroness Morgan of Drefelin: To ask Her Majesty's Government why intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is not being delivered in some centres where the appropriate training and equipment is in place.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government (1) whether they are working to the 2007 National Radiotherapy Advisory Group recommendations that 90 additional linear accelerators (LINACS) are needed to deliver radiotherapy treatment in England; and, if so, when these will be purchased and operational; (2) how they intend to model demand for radiotherapy treatment after April 2013; and (3) when they intend to publish their plan for investment to ensure radiotherapy capacity is able to meet demand.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will support a national investment plan for specialised radiotherapy equipment, including (1) imaging equipment to support image-guided radiation therapy, and (2) stereotactic body radiotherapy for lung and other cancers; and whether the Department of Health will make recommendations on the number and appropriate location of new facilities across the United Kingdom.

Earl Howe: Commissioners need to work with their providers to ensure that radiotherapy services meet the needs of local patients. Improving Outcomes: A Strategy for Cancer, published on 12 January 2011, recognised the need to improve outcomes by incentivising new radiotherapy techniques, particularly intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). It was the department's aspiration to ensure that IMRT was available in at least one centre per cancer network. This has now been achieved.
	The National Radiotherapy Implementation Group (NRIG) has undertaken work to incentivise and support wider uptake of IMRT and will be publishing the outcome of a recent survey of IMRT activity in the autumn. The survey will identify those centres that continue to deliver less IMRT than might be expected for their populations alongside those that are delivering at the guideline rate or more.
	In early 2008-09 there were 233 linear accelerators (linacs) in the National Health Service, and the National Radiotherapy Advisory Group (NRAG) report, Radiotherapy: Developing a World Class Service for England, published in 2007, identified that a further 90 were needed by 2016 to meet the anticipated increase in demand. The National Cancer Services Analysis Team equipment survey for 2011-12 identified 294 machines, including backup machines and machines replaced in year. An analysis of the radiotherapy data collection shows that 265 machines were in use on any given day in 2011-12.
	The National Audit Office report, Managing High Value Capital Equipment in the NHS in England, published in March 2011, concluded that there was spare capacity on existing machines. For this reason, we have made a commitment to invest over £150 million more over the Spending Review period to increase the utilisation of existing capacity, to support the establishment of additional services and to ensure that all high priority patients with a need for proton beam therapy get access to it abroad.
	Our Cancer Outcomes Strategy also made the commitment to analyse the radiotherapy data collection to ensure that the recommendations in the NRAG report remain meaningful and current. Radiotherapy treatment is continuously changing as technology changes, and specialist techniques and research feed rapidly into regular practice. This presents a challenge to both commissioners and providers to ensure that services are up to date and sufficiently flexible to incorporate changing practice and new treatments. The analysis of the NRAG recommendations is due to be completed this summer.
	After April 2013, demand modelling for radiotherapy will be the responsibility of the NHS Commissioning Board. To support commissioners and providers, a new demand modelling tool has been developed using evidence-based radiotherapy decision trees based on United Kingdom clinical practice and local cancer incidence data. The tool is a decision aid for planning and commissioning radiotherapy services at a local or regional level and enables commissioners to plan for the needs of local populations. Providers need to work with their commissioners to ensure that they are investing appropriately to meet future demands for radiotherapy.
	Decisions regarding provision of radiotherapy services in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are a matter for the devolved Administrations of those countries. In England, it is for providers, working with commissioners, to identify the need for specialised radiotherapy equipment and develop plans to invest. Guidance on the use of specialised radiotherapy techniques and equipment, including IMRT, is provided by NRIG, working with the professional bodies. Stereotactic body radiotherapy can be delivered on standard linacs and decisions on the need for, and location of, specialist equipment need to be taken locally.
	The department has recently worked with NHS Supply Chain to launch a new procurement scheme that allows trusts to access high-value medical equipment at significantly discounted prices. The scheme allows NHS Supply Chain to purchase equipment up front through use of a central capital fund, and then pass on discounts to trusts. The scheme does not limit choice or supplier.

Health: Rheumatoid Arthritis

Baroness Masham of Ilton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to improve public awareness of the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that people with rheumatoid arthritis are given a personalised care plan.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the implementation of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence clinical guideline 79 on rheumatoid arthritis in England.

Earl Howe: Information on the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis is readily available from websites such as www.nhs.uk and www.patient.co.uk. Both the clinical guideline on rheumatoid arthritis from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) and the curriculum statement on musculo-skeletal disease from the Royal College of General Practitioners emphasise the importance for general practitioners of communicating health information effectively to their patients.
	The Government are committed to offering everyone with a long-term condition a personalised care plan. The care planning process should be managed locally, through the National Health Service, with health are professionals working in partnership with patients. The department has published extensive guidance for commissioners, healthcare and social care professionals on the care planning approach, including an e-learning toolkit issued in 2010. The NICE guideline gives indications of the healthcare elements that could be included in such a care plan for patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
	Commissioners and providers are jointly responsible for determining how, and how quickly, to move towards implementation of NICE guidelines. From 2013, front-line clinicians in clinical commissioning groups will be directly involved in determining the priorities for improving the services which they commission. NICE has been asked to develop a quality standard for rheumatoid arthritis, as part of the library for quality standards announced earlier this year, which will set out the standards of care which patients can expect and by which they can hold commissioners to account. In the meantime patients may wish to refer to the ten key standards of care published by the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society in 2010.

Health: Sharp Instrument Injuries

Baroness Masham of Ilton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking to transpose, implement and publicise the provisions of EU Council Directive 2010/32/EU on prevention from sharp injuries in the hospital and healthcare sector, before the final implementation date of 11 May 2013.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to conduct and publish a detailed cost-benefit analysis of the impact of implementing EU Council Directive 2010/32/EU on prevention from sharp injuries in the hospital and healthcare sector; and if so, when.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking (1) to specify and implement safe procedures for using and disposing of sharp medical instruments and contaminated waste, (2) to eliminate the unnecessary use of sharps, (3) to provide medical devices incorporating safety-engineered protection mechanisms, and (4) to ban the practice of recapping, before 11 May 2013.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government how they intend to ensure that risk assessments are conducted consistently in the hospital and healthcare sector to prevent sharps injuries and protect workers and to identify how exposure could be eliminated.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government how they propose to increase reporting of sharps injuries; and whether they will revise reporting procedures and mechanisms to include local, national and European-wide systems.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government what actions they are taking to ensure that the good practices to prevent sharps injuries contained in the provisions of EU Council Directive 2010/32/EU on prevention from sharp injuries in the hospital and healthcare sector are also applied beyond the hospital and healthcare sector.

Lord Freud: The Government have asked the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to prepare regulations to transpose Council Directive 2010/32/EU to come into force on 11 May 2013. HSE has prepared an impact assessment for their initial proposal for implementing Council Directive 2010/32/EU, based on the evidence currently available to them. They are preparing a full 12-week consultation process on this proposal for later this summer. The initial impact assessment will be published with the consultation document and the proposed draft health and safety regulations. Following the consultation, HSE will revise, if appropriate, the proposal and include any further evidence in its impact assessment. The final impact assessment will be published in the Government's Impact Assessment library.
	The four measures referred to by Baroness Masham to reduce the risk of injury to healthcare workers from sharp instruments, the requirements for assessment of those risks and the requirement to report accidents are all referred to within Council Directive 2010/32/EU. The UK measures to transpose the directive will address these, where required. However, most sharps injuries arise from failure to comply with existing, well-established standards. HSE's consultation on the proposed regulations will also seek views on how all healthcare stakeholders can contribute to raising awareness of the required standards
	The directive applies only to healthcare, and is based on an agreement between HOSPEEM and EPSU, the relevant European healthcare employer and employee representative groups. Where sharp injuries are a relevant risk in other sectors, it is HSE's view that compliance with the current health and safety legislation would ensure a good standard of protection.

Healthcare: Costs

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many United Kingdom pensioners resident in the Republic of Ireland have been regarded in the last three years as eligible to have their healthcare costs paid by the United Kingdom; how they define an eligible pensioner; and what are the current agreed annual average healthcare costs for each pensioner in the two countries.

Earl Howe: The number of eligible pensioners-those whom the United Kingdom has accepted liability for-in the last three years is shown in the following table:
	
		
			 2009 43,600 
			 2010 42,602 
			 2011 41,363 
		
	
	Under current bilateral arrangements, eligible pensioners are defined as the proportion of the total number of UK pensioners resident in Ireland, assessed by applying the results of triennial surveys and application of the European regulations that govern this area. From 2014, payments will be in accordance with planned revised bilateral arrangements based upon a registration scheme of individual pensioners.
	As the noble Lord will be aware, we are working towards a revised bilateral arrangement with Ireland now, and plan to base payments on a registration scheme from 2014 onwards meaning that each pension is assessed individually, rather than extrapolating results from a triennial survey of just 1,500 pensioners.
	As of 21 May 2012, the most recent published average cost for the United Kingdom (2009) was £3,867.64; for Ireland (2004) it was €6,789.44.

Homelessness: Rough Sleepers

Lord Janner of Braunstone: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Hanham on 21 October 2011 (WA 108-9), how the £400 million that is being invested over the next four years to support local authorities and the voluntary sector in their work to tackle and prevent homelessness is being distributed across local authorities.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of rough sleeping levels in Greater London.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of rough sleeping levels in Leicester.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Hanham on 21 October 2011 (WA 108-9), how many of the 1,400 "new and improved bed spaces" for rough sleepers and the homeless have been provided to date.

Baroness Hanham: The coalition Government are committed to tackling and preventing rough sleeping. We have protected Homelessness Grant funding at 2010-11 levels with £400 million over the next four years to help tackle rough sleeping. The Preventing Homelessness Grant is paid to all 326 local housing authorities and leading voluntary sector providers to support their work to tackle and prevent homelessness. It supports front-line services, including rough sleeper services, rent deposit schemes, mediation and debt advice.
	A number of factors are considered in determining homelessness grant allocations, including levels of rough sleeping, temporary accommodation and bed and breakfast usage, along with funding to support particular delivery blockages in some cases. Smaller authorities have been guaranteed a minimum grant allocation of £50,000 to support homelessness prevention in all authorities.
	We published homelessness grant allocations for 2011-13 as part of the local government settlement for 2011-12.
	We have acted decisively to introduce a more accurate assessment of rough sleeping levels so that there is clear information in all areas to inform service provision and action to address the problem.
	We have provided additional funding to tackle and prevent rough sleeping. This includes:
	a £20 million Homelessness Transition Fund to support the roll out of No Second Night Out and protect vital front line services;a £20 million Single Homelessness Prevention Fund to help ensure single homeless people get access to good housing advice;a £5 million boost to the Homelessness Change Programme (bringing the total investment to £42.5 million) to deliver improved hostel provision and provide over 1,500 new and improved bed spaces; anda £5 million Social Impact Bond, using a payment by results model to help persistent rough sleepers in London. This is the first Social Impact Bond set up to tackle homelessness in the world.
	Rough sleeping figures for England can be found on the department's website at http://www.communities. gov.uk/housing/homelessness.
	The Homelessness Change Programme runs from April 2012-2015. The programme has been allocated in its entirety and delivery/starts of new and improved bed spaces is expected to begin later this year.

Housing

Baroness King of Bow: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Hanham on 29 November 2011 (WA 47-9), what were the costs of the Seaside and Country Homes Scheme for each year it has been operated by the Department for Communities and Local Government or Greater London Authority.

Baroness Hanham: The Department for Communities and Local Government was responsible for the Seaside and Country Homes scheme between July 2007 and March 2011. During this period, the costs of running the service were as follows:
	
		
			 Year Costs 
			 2010-11 £1,200,000 
			 2009-10 £1,600,000 
			 2008-09 £1,100,000 
			 2007-08 (July-March) £960,000 
		
	
	Responsibility for the scheme was transferred to the Greater London Authority in April 2011: operating costs since that date are a matter for the Greater London Authority. In both 2011/12 and 2012/13, the department provided a grant of £400,000 to the Authority to support the operation of the scheme.

Housing

Lord Janner of Braunstone: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Hanham on 21 October 2011 (WA 108-9), how many of the 170,000 affordable homes due to be delivered by 2015 have been delivered to date.

Baroness Hanham: Out of the 146 successful providers through the Homes and Communities Agency's Affordable Homes Programme, 2011-15 contracts have now been signed with 122 totalling around £1.7 billion of the £1.8 billion budget and I am placing a table in the Library of the House which lists all 122. Further information on the contracts signed by the Homes and Communities Agency can also be found on their website: http://www.homesandcommunities.co.uk/sites/default/files/our-work/affordable/homes-programme-signed-contracts-210512.xls
	We estimate that our total affordable housing investment of £4.5 billion over the spending review will lever in around £15 billion of private sector investment enabling us to deliver our 170,000 affordable homes. We have also asked the Homes and Communities Agency to explore options for accelerating delivery of their programme.

Housing Benefit

Baroness King of Bow: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many housing benefit or local housing allowance claimants in Tower Hamlets were in private rented sector accommodation in each year since 2001.

Lord Freud: The information requested is given in the table.
	
		
			 Housing Benefit recipients in Tower Hamlets Local Authority (LA) in the Private Rented Sector, 2001 to 2012 
			  All Housing Benefit recipients in Tower Hamlets LA Housing Benefit recipients in the Private Rented Sector4 
			 August 2001 30,340 1,480 
			 August 2002 29,950 1,340 
			 August 2003 30,060 1,400 
			 August 2004 31,180 1,570 
			 August 2005 32,300 2,150 
			 August 2006 32,160 2,460 
			 August 2007 32,040 2,530 
			 August 2008 . . 
			 August 2009 33,990 4,180 
			 August 2010 35,590 5,250 
			 August 2011 36,470 5,520 
			 February 2012 37,050 5,560 
		
	
	Source. Quarterly aggregate clerical returns: 2001 to 2007; Single Housing Benefit Extract (SHBE), 2008 onwards.
	Notes:
	1. Data from August 2008 onwards are derived from the new Single Housing Benefit Extract (SHBE) which is a monthly electronic scan of claimants level data direct from local authority computer systems, whereas earlier years are derived from quarterly aggregate returns. The latest available data are at February 2012.
	2. Figures from the two sources may not be directly comparable: the introduction of SHBE has improved the accuracy of HB/CTB statistics as it is based on individual claimant records rather than summary statistics, has a higher completion rate from Local Authorities leading to less estimation of missing data, and is subject to more thorough quality assurance.
	3. " . " Figures for August 2008 are not available.
	4. Local Housing Allowance was introduced in the deregulated private sector from April 2008. Data for the period 2001 to 2007 are non-LA tenants excluding Registered Social Landlords (RSL).
	5. Data are rounded to nearest 10. Totals may not sum due to rounding.
	6. Data for 2008 onwards are published at: http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/hb_ctb/index.php?page=hbctb_arc.

Human Rights

Lord Judd: To ask Her Majesty's Government what proposals they will put forward in the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to press for follow-up action by the Government of Russia on the European Court of Human Rights judgment in the case of Shafiyeva v Russia with respect to the investigation in that case and the procedural violation of Article 2 that was found.

Lord Howell of Guildford: At Council of Europe Committee of Ministers Human Rights meetings we have urged Russia to demonstrate concrete progress on the implementation of European Court of Human Rights judgments. The judgment in the Shafiyeva v Russia case is not yet final. Therefore the Committee of Ministers is not yet engaged on this particular case.
	We will continue to engage with Russia on human rights issues at ministerial level through our embassy in Moscow and through our representation to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg.

Immigration

Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what measures they are taking to ensure that organised and properly authorised school and college parties are not adversely delayed on entering the United Kingdom for educational visits; and what training is given to staff at entry ports relating to these visits.

Lord Henley: School groups are subject to the same checks as all other passengers at the UK Border. They are required to produce evidence of their nationality and to have their identity verified by a Border officer, although a concession is in place which allows properly authorised UK and EU school and college parties to use group passports.
	The policy of conducting a full range of checks on school parties is subject to regular ministerial review.
	There is no specific training given to Border Force officers concerning school groups as they are processed in the same way as other passengers.

Immigration

Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what instructions are given to staff at entry ports regarding visits to the United Kingdom by properly authorised school and college parties which include students with non-European Union passports.

Lord Henley: There is an EU agreement between all member states whereby all third country visa national school children resident in another member state are allowed to travel to the UK without obtaining a visa, providing that they attend a general education school, travel as part of an organised school group, be accompanied by a teacher; and that their names are included on the officially approved list of travellers form to be obtained by schools. Guidance on this agreement is available to all Border Force officers.

Immigration: Checkpoints

Lord Willoughby de Broke: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether Government Ministers leaving or entering the United Kingdom use the normal UK Border Agency checkpoints or a priority checkpoint.

Lord Henley: Ministers who do not have specific security protection use normal channels.

Immigration: Children

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many children under 18 have been placed in immigration detention at airports over the period since 16 December 2010.

Lord Henley: Statistics for the number of children under 18 that have been placed in immigration detention at airports since 16 December 2010 are not collected centrally.
	The Home Office publishes statistics on children in detention, but these exclude short-term holding rooms at ports and airports (for less than 24 hours). These data on children in detention can be found at: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/science-research-statistics/research-statistics/immigration-asylum-research/child-detention-apr2012

Immigration: Detention

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many judgments have been given during the past three years in which (1) the First-tier Tribunal, (2) the Upper Tribunal, (3) the Court of Appeal, and (4) the Supreme Court, have (a) dismissed, or (b) upheld, the UK Border Agency's decision to detain an individual.

Lord Henley: The UK Border Agency does not hold central records of the information requested. To obtain this information, from the period of time specified, would require a manual check of case files and appeal judgments, which would incur disproportionate costs.

Immigration: Detention

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many individuals (1) who claim to have been tortured, (2) who claim to have mental health problems, and (3) about whom mental health problems have been observed, have been placed in immigration detention in each of the past three years or are currently in immigration detention.

Lord Henley: The information requested is not recorded centrally and could only be provided by examination of individual records at disproportionate cost. Specifically in relation to mental health conditions, this information is held on an individual's medical file, which is confidential.
	Each detainee is seen by a nurse within two hours of arrival at an immigration removal centre. They are then given an appointment to see a GP within 24 hours, unless the nurse considers an earlier examination is required.

Immigration: Detention

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many individuals have (1) died, (2) committed suicide, and (3) attempted suicide while in immigration detention or during removal in each of the past three years.

Lord Henley: The number of individuals who have died in immigration detention or during removal in each of the past three years is as follows.
	2009: 0;
	2010: 2; and
	2011: 4.
	No individuals committed suicide in immigration detention or during removal in 2009 or 2010.
	It is not possible to provide a figure as the 2011 circumstances are still subject to investigation by the Prison and for Probation Ombudsman or the Coroner.
	Records are not held for the numbers of individuals who have attempted suicide in detention or during removal.
	The information provided for incidents of self-harm requiring medical treatment is based on management information only and has not been subject to the detailed checks that apply for National Statistics publications. These figures are provisional and subject to change.
	The UK Border Agency takes the safety of those in our care very seriously, and operates a system called Assessment Care in Detention and Teamwork (ACDT) to identify and help those who are at risk of suicide or self-harm. Notices in various languages are displayed around immigration removal centres setting out that, where there is a concern about a fellow detainee, this should be brought to the attention of a member of staff.

Immigration: Detention

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty's Government what written guidance and instructions the UK Border Agency gives to airport operators on the construction of airport immigration detention facilities.

Lord Henley: The UK Border Agency provides standards specifications on the construction of new holding room facilities to all airport operators, and advises on the accommodation and security requirements for a holding room.

Immigration: Detention

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many persons entered immigration or asylum detention in 2010, 2011 and in 2012 to date; what were the average and median lengths of detention; and whether they will appoint an independent auditor of detention, with full rights of access.

Lord Henley: Published detention figures relate to those detained solely under Immigration Act powers, and exclude both those detained for criminal purposes and those who are detained under both criminal and immigration powers. Published detention statistics currently exclude detainees in short-term holding rooms at ports and airports (for less than 24 hours), police cells and prison service establishments.
	In 2010, 25,904 people entered detention.
	In 2011, 27,072 people entered detention.
	In the first quarter of 2012, the latest date for which published information is available, 7,516 people entered detention.
	Information on length of detention of those who entered detention during these periods is not available.
	The Home Office releases statistics on detention, solely under Immigration Act powers, including length of detention on those leaving detention (dt.05 and dt.05.q) and as at the last day of each quarter (dt.09.q), on a quarterly basis, within the latest release "Immigration Statistics January-March 2012", available from the Home Office's Science, Research and Statistics website at: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/science- research-statistics/research-statistics/immigration-asylum-research/immigration-tabs-q1-2012/detention-q1-2012-tabs.
	A copy will be placed in the Library of the House.
	Immigration detention facilities are subject to independent oversight by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, who has a statutory responsibility for the UK Border Agency's immigration removal centres (IRCs), short-term holding facilities and the role of escorts. The inspectorate undertakes both announced and unannounced inspections. An Independent Monitoring Board also operates in each IRC and reports on the way in which they and short term holding facilities are run, in particular on detainee welfare issues.

Immigration: Detention

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what methods they will use to ensure that Rule 35 of the Detention Centre Rules 2001 is fully implemented to protect victims of torture from further harm.

Lord Henley: There are existing procedures and safeguards in place, but these are being tightened by a range of measures to improve Rule 35 processes. This includes improved written instructions, with a revised asylum casework instruction and detention services order pending publication, and training for medical practitioners, other healthcare staff working in immigration removal centres and case owners. After full implementation of these revised measures, the agency will review compliance, quality and performance through an internal audit.

Immigration: Waiting Times

Lord Willoughby de Broke: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the reported statement by Mr Brian Moore, head of the UK Border Agency (UKBA), that he would be content for travellers entering the United Kingdom during the Olympic Games to wait for up to four hours at UKBA checkpoints.

Lord Henley: During Mr Moore's appearance at the Home Affairs Select Committee (HASC) on 22 May 2012, he stated that he does not anticipate seeing two, three or four hour queues during the Olympics and that we are well-prepared for the Olympics, with additional staff available for busy periods.
	I can confirm that the UK Border Force is fully prepared to cope with busy periods during the Olympic period and will be implementing our well rehearsed plans-these have been used before, and are tried and tested. The UK Border Force will ensure that all immigration desks at Heathrow, and key ports and airports in the south-east, are staffed whenever necessary during peak arrival periods. Planning started nearly two years ago. The plans have been reviewed and agreed at the highest levels of government.

Immigration: Waiting Times

Baroness Smith of Basildon: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they consider that cuts and changes in staffing in the UK Border Agency have had any impact on the length of queues and waiting times at border control at Heathrow airport.

Lord Henley: The service standards are to clear 95% of European Economic Area (EEA) passengers within 25 minutes and 95% of non-EEA passengers within 45 minutes. The latest data shows that 97% of passengers sampled were cleared within these service standards in 2011-12 as compared with 98% cleared within service standards in 2010-11.
	A link to this published data is given below: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/aboutus/clearance-of-passengers/.
	There have been a few occasions recently where queue lengths reached unacceptable levels. However, the vast majority of passengers do pass through our borders quickly. Whilst we will not compromise on border security, we always aim to keep disruption to a minimum by using our staff as flexibly as possible to meet demand, and to cope with unexpected surges in arrivals which are sometimes caused by factors beyond our control.
	We have taken immediate action to improve our operational response at the border. This includes the flexible redeployment of frontline staff, the use of 24/7 mobile teams and the development of a new control room at Heathrow to ensure we can co-ordinate our frontline activity as effectively as possible.

Intercept Warrants

Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many requests for intercept warrants have been (1) authorised, and (2) denied, by the Home Secretary in each year since 2000.

Lord Henley: All publicly available information on interception warrants is contained in the Interception of Communications Commissioner's annual reports.
	These are available in the Vote Office and the most recent report, covering 2010, is at: www.ipt-uk.com/docs/Interception_of_Communications_2406.pdf.
	The report states that the number of warrants authorised by the Home Secretary in each year since 2000 are as per the following table:
	
		
			 Year 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005/6 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 
			 No. of Warrants 1682 1514 1508 1881 1333 2243 1849 1878 1466 1314 1474 
		
	
	All figures given are issued during the period 1 January to 31 December except:
	the figure for 2000 includes 472 Interception of Communications Act 1985 (IOCA) warrants that were revalidated as Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) warrants on the coming into force of the Act on 2 October 2000;the figure for 2005/6 covers the period 1 January 2005 to 31 March 2006: andthe figure for 2006 covers the period 1 April 2006 and 31 December 2006.
	There is no information in the report on the number of warrants that have been denied by the Home Secretary.
	Information on warrants authorised in 2011 will be published in the Commissioner's next annual report, due to be published during 2012.

International Criminal Court: Economic and Diplomatic Policies

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether their economic and diplomatic policies towards a government change when a head of state is indicted by the International Criminal Court.

Lord Howell of Guildford: Where a Head of State is subject to an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant we urge all states to co-operate with the ICC and we work with key partners to enforce the warrant. Should the Head of State seek to evade arrest we would ensure that contact was kept to a minimum for essential reasons only.
	The UK develops economic and diplomatic polices in order to maintain relations with countries as a whole and not simply to maintain relationships with Governments or individual Heads of State. To inform our policies and develop our relations with a country it is important that we are able to understand and influence the situation on the ground, through contacts at all levels, including with civil society groups, government officials and opposition groups.

Investigatory Powers Tribunal

Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many complaints were made to the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, and how many were successful, in each year since the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 came into force.

Lord Henley: Information regarding the number of complaints made to the Investigatory Powers Tribunal is publicly available and set out in its annual report for 2010, which contains the number of complaints made annually since 2001, and the rulings and outcomes of those complaints made in 2010. The report will be placed in the Library and can be found at: http://www.ipt-uk.com/docs/IPTAnnualReportFINAL.PDF.
	The report states that the number of complaints made to the Tribunal were as per the following tablet
	
		
			 Year 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 
			 No. of Complaints 95 137 110 90 80 86 66 136 157 164 
		
	
	The total number of cases upheld since 2000 is 10:
	one case in 2005;
	two cases in 2008;
	one case in 2009; and
	six cases in 2010.
	Further detail of cases which the tribunal has found in favour of complainants can be found on the IPT website at: www.ipt-uk.com

Iran

Lord Janner of Braunstone: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether the latest round of international sanctions on Iran is working effectively to dissuade the Government of Iran from pursuing a nuclear enrichment programme.

Lord Howell of Guildford: We believe that the dual track process-pressure in the form of robust sanctions, and engagement in the form of negotiations-offers the best chance of achieving a peaceful resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue. Recent sanctions have slowed the Iranian nuclear programme and brought pressure to bear on the Iranian regime to negotiate with the permanent five members of the United Nations Security Council and Germany. Sanctions will only be lifted in response to genuine and significant steps by Iran to address the international community's concerns. Until we see those steps, we will keep up the pressure on Iran through sanctions.

Iraq

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will make representations to the Government of Iraq about the continued detention of the Lebanese citizen Mr Ali Daqduq after his acquittal by a court.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The Government are aware of the recent decision to acquit Mr Ali Daqduq by an Iraqi court for allegations of terrorism. We understand that he currently remains in detention awaiting the outcome of an appeal against this decision. As Mr Daqduq is not a British citizen, the Government are not in a position to make representations on his behalf. We do, however, make regular representations to the Government of Iraq to ensure that all those in detention have access to legal counsel and a fair trial.

Iraq

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will make representations to the Government of Iraq about allegations by Human Rights Watch regarding a secret prison in the Green Zone in central Baghdad where persons are held without charge and subjected to torture.

Lord Howell of Guildford: We are aware of recent allegations about secret prisons operating in Baghdad and our ambassador to Iraq discussed the issue with the spokesman for the Iraqi Prime Minister's office on 17 May. However, we are not aware or have seen any concrete evidence that these allegations are correct. We regularly make representations to the Government of Iraq on a range of issues of concern to us. We will continue to do this.

Iraq

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will make representations to the Government of Iraq about allegations of torture by leaders of the Al-Iraqiya List and the Sadrist Trend.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The UK is aware of allegations made by the Al-Iraqiya List of torture in Iraqi prisons. We are unable to comment on the substance of the allegations which are properly for the Iraqi courts to address. We do, however, remain concerned over allegations of torture and mistreatment in Iraqi prisons. We regularly raise these concerns with the Government of Iraq. We will continue to support Iraq in improving the transparency and effectiveness of its criminal justice system and condemn allegations of torture where appropriate.

Iraq

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will make representations to the Government of Iraq about allegations from Sulaymaniyah that the Jihadist Muslim Movement has threatened the Kurdish residents of Jalawla in Diyala province, causing the majority of them to leave.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The UK is aware of media reports alleging forceful displacement of Kurdish residents from the Jalawa district. We have raised the issue with the Kurdistan Regional Government, who made no official comment. We will continue to monitor the situation around Iraq's disputed internal boundaries. We support the United Nations's disputed internal boundaries work, and continue to raise the need for Iraqi leaders in Baghdad and Erbil to engage in constructive dialogue.

Israel

Lord Judd: To ask Her Majesty's Government on how many occasions, when and with whom they have raised with the Government of Israel the human rights, humanitarian, international law and political consequences of the military detention of children and young people.

Lord Howell of Guildford: We discuss Israel's policies on arrest and detention regularly, most recently in the past month with the Israeli Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the National Security Council, the Israeli Prison Service and the office of the Co-ordinator of Government Activities in the Territories.
	We remain concerned about the treatment of Palestinian children under the Israeli military court system. We continue to lobby the Israeli authorities for improvements, including a reduction in the number of arrests that occur at night, an end to shackling and the introduction of audio-visual recording of interrogations.
	We welcomed Israel's decision of 4 October 2011 to raise the age of legal majority for Palestinian children in the Israeli military justice system, a step we had advocated. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my honourable friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Mr Burt), raised the implementation of this decision with the Israel Ambassador on 23 February.

Israel

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are making representations to the Government of Israel about the reported permission granted to conduct hydrocarbon exploration in the occupied Golan Heights, and about the compatibility of such exploration with the Fourth Geneva Convention.

Lord Howell of Guildford: We regularly raise with the Israeli authorities their obligations under international law. While our officials in Israel are aware of these allegations, our lobbying of the Israeli Government focuses on the most urgent issues, including those that pose the greatest threat to the Middle East peace process or to the lives of ordinary citizens in the region. This specific issue has not been raised with the Israeli authorities.
	The UK continues to promote a lasting settlement of the Israeli-Arab conflict and final status agreements that will ensure a just arrangement on resources.

Israel

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are making representations to the Government of Israel about reports of Israeli aircraft staging mock air raids over southern Lebanon.

Lord Howell of Guildford: While our officials in Israel are aware of these reports, our lobbying of the Israeli Government focuses on the most urgent issues including those that pose the greatest threat to the Middle East peace process or to the lives of ordinary citizens in the region. This specific issue has not been raised with the Israeli authorities.
	An absence of hostilities between Israel and Lebanon remains a priority for the UK and our international partners. We are monitoring developments closely.

Israel

Lord Warner: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Northover on 30 April (WA 401), whether the financing agreement requires Israel to spend money provided by the European Union without discrimination towards Arab Israelis or Palestinians in the Occupied Territories; and whether they have discussed any evidence of failure to avoid discrimination with the Government of Israel.

Baroness Northover: The financing agreement under the European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan does not specifically mention the need for Israel to treat Israeli Arabs in the same manner as Jewish Israelis. However, the Action Plan does include references to promoting and protecting the rights of minorities, including enhancing political, economic, social and cultural opportunities for all citizens and lawful residents.
	To maintain its status as a functional democracy it is essential that Israel behaves consistently toward all its citizens including the sizeable Arab minority. The UK makes this clear in its bilateral contact with Israeli officials and ministers.

Israel

Lord Warner: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 28 March (WA 271), whether they will amend the immigration rules to prevent entry to the United Kingdom of Israeli citizens who have illegally settled on land in Occupied Palestinian Territories and any officials or Ministers who have allowed or encouraged such settlements.

Lord Henley: Israeli citizens who hold a valid travel document and meet the requirements of the Immigration Rules are allowed to enter the UK regardless of their area of residence. There are no current plans to amend the Immigration Rules.

Israel

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the Government of Israel concerning the Israeli Defence Force's use of high velocity tear gas canisters and injuries caused to demonstrators.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The Government strongly supports the right to peaceful demonstration.
	The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my honourable friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Mr Burt) and our ambassador to Tel Aviv have regularly raised the need for full investigation of incidents of injuries and deaths caused by Israeli Defence Force action, including the tragic death of Mr Tamimi, killed by a tear-gas canister fired by an Israeli soldier during a non-violent protest in the West Bank village of Nabi Saleh on 9 December 2011.

Israel and Palestine

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they will make to the Government of Israel concerning their order on 25 April to Palestinian farmers in the Wadi Qana area of the West Bank to uproot olive trees.

Lord Howell of Guildford: We are aware that nine farmers in the village of Deir Istiya in the West Bank have received orders from the Israeli authorities to uproot 1,400 olive trees planted in private land which they farm within the Wadi Qana valley. We understand the Israeli military authorities have designated the area as a national reserve. We also note the particular sensitivities around olive trees, given their status as a national symbol and the sole source of income for many Palestinian farmers.
	Our embassy in Tel Aviv has raised our concerns over these orders with the relevant Israeli authorities, in particular the office of the Co-ordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, as well as with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We have emphasised that actions taken by Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territories must be in compliance with its obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law.

Israel and Palestine

Lord Turnberg: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential impact on the Palestinian economy in the West Bank of recent efforts by some trade unions to boycott trade with Israel.

Lord Howell of Guildford: We have not made an assessment of the potential impact on the Palestinian economy of a possible boycott of Israeli trade by some trade unions in the UK. We believe that imposing sanctions on Israel or supporting anti-Israeli boycotts would lessen our influence, not increase it, and would do nothing to promote the peace process.
	The key economic constraints on the West Bank are Israeli restrictions on the movement of Palestinian people and goods internally and externally, and on access to natural resources. These restrictions have meant that the Occupied Palestinian Territories are dependent on foreign aid to prevent a humanitarian crisis and to allow the Palestinian Authority to deliver basic services. The West Bank has recently experienced an increase in economic growth due to a slight lifting of the restrictions in 2010 and 2011 and high aid flows. However, this is from a very low baseline.
	The Department for International Development provides technical and financial assistance to the Occupied Palestinian Territories in order to promote economic growth in the West Bank and Gaza. The UK will provide £349 million in support of Palestinian development between 2011-15.

Israel and Palestine

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of legislation in Israel which would legalise property built on private Palestinian land; what representations they have made to the Government of Israel regarding proposals for new houses situated near Gilo, east of the Green Line; and whether they will raise both matters with the Quartet.

Lord Howell of Guildford: We have consistently made clear that Israel should be removing-not legalising-illegal outposts, in line with its Roadmap commitments. On 24 April, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right honourable friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) released a statement strongly condemning the Israeli Government's decision to legalise three outposts in the West Bank (Bruchin, Rechelim and Sansana). The Foreign Secretary made clear that this decision set a dangerous precedent for future outposts and risked sending the message that Israel was not serious about its commitment to the two-state solution. He called on Israel to rescind this decision.
	The Foreign Secretary most recently raised concerns about Israel's settlement policy during the visit in May 2012 of the Israeli National Security Adviser. Our ambassador to Tel Aviv has also raised our concerns about settlements and legalising outposts with senior Israeli officials, including proposals for Gilo and draft legislation on authorising the compulsory purchase of private land for settlement building that is .currently pending before the Knesset.
	We have regular discussions with European and Quartet partners with regards to the issues of Israeli settlements and outposts in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. On 14 May, the European Union Foreign Affairs Council issued conclusions that expressed concern at Israel's settlement policy and decisions regarding the status of certain outposts.

Israel and Palestine

Lord Judd: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have made representations to the Government of Israel about the transfer of Palestinian child prisoners to detention facilities located in Israel, in contravention of Article 76 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, and about the ability of families to visit those children, in the light of travel restrictions.

Lord Howell of Guildford: We remain concerned about the treatment of Palestinian children under the Israeli military court system. We continue to lobby the Israeli authorities for improvements, including a reduction in the number of arrests that occur at night, an end to shackling and the introduction of audio-visual recording of interrogations. We also regularly raise the issue of visitation rights for all detainees. We have not recently raised the specific issue of the transfer of Palestinian child prisoners to detention facilities in Israel.
	In addition to our lobbying of the Israeli authorities, the UK is supporting research into this issue by leading UK and international lawyers; a report is due to be issued soon. We have also funded the work of Defence for Children International and No Legal Frontiers on the rights of Palestinian child detainees.

Israel and Palestine

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what research they have conducted on the make-up of a possible two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict; and whether that research assumes that Arab-Israelis who are currently citizens of Israel would remain in a future Jewish state or be transferred to the new state of Palestine.

Lord Howell of Guildford: It is the policy of the United Kingdom to support a negotiated two-state solution. This involves helping to create the conditions that allow us to encourage the parties to reach an agreement through direct negotiations, including through the auspices of the Middle East Quartet. We are clear that a sustainable two-state solution must involve a viable Palestinian State existing beside a safe and secure Israel. We aim to keep up to date with the various formal and informal proposals for resolving the conflict. However, it is important not to pre-judge the outcome of negotiations. With respect to Arab Israelis living in Israel, we expect their rights to be respected as is the case with any other Israeli citizen. Final status negotiations would determine whether other options were available to them in a two-state solution.
	The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has not conducted its own internal research into the make-up of a possible two-state solution. The Geneva Initiative, probably the most comprehensive Track Two attempt to date to outline a two state solution, came to the conclusion that Arab Israelis would likely remain in Israel. Most recently in 2011, the Washington Institute conducted a comprehensive piece of research on this issue which outlined five possible options for the make-up of the two states. One of the five options outlined what the two states would look like in the event Arab Israelis became part of a Palestinian state.

Israel and Palestine

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are taking action to protect the water and sanitation projects for communities living in caves around Hebron funded by the United Kingdom from being destroyed by the Israeli Defence Force.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The fair and effective distribution of shared water resources across the Middle East is of great concern to us. We remain concerned about demolitions of Palestinian property in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including water and sanitation projects. We continue to urge Israel to desist from such demolitions, which we consider to be contrary to Israel's obligations under international humanitarian law; harmful to the peace process; as well as causing unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians.
	The UK is focused on preventing demolitions in the first place. We are working with other European Union member states to make clear to Israel the need for significant streamlining of the procedure for Palestinians to gain planning permission in Israeli controlled areas of the West Bank and the need to halt all demolitions until a more effective process is in place. We will continue to lobby the Israeli Government, bilaterally and with European Union partners, on the issue of demolitions and related human rights concerns.

Israel and Palestine

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Government of Israel concerning the democratic right to peaceful protest, in the light of the report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (occupied Palestinian territory), stating that in April 131 Palestinians were injured in demonstrations, and that the monthly average of people hit with tear gas canisters was almost twice the rate of 2011.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The Government support the general right to peaceful protest everywhere, including Palestinians' legitimate right to protest non-violently against the occupation. We have taken note of the incidents recorded in the regular reports of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. We urge all parties to ensure that everything is done to avoid violent clashes and casualties.
	We continue to raise the issue of the Israeli Defence Force handling of protests with the Israeli authorities.

Israel and Palestine: West Bank

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what development aid projects they plan for Area C of the West Bank over the next two years.

Baroness Northover: The UK is supporting the UN Relief and Works Agency to provide essential services to refugees living in Area C of the West Bank and the Norwegian Refugee Council to provide free legal advice to over 3,000 households at risk of displacement in Area C and East Jerusalem. We are also supporting the Office of the Quartet Representative to ease movement and access restrictions across the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including in Area C, in order to support economic development. We are currently working with EU partners to implement the May 2012 European Union Foreign Affairs Council conclusions, which reiterated the importance of social and economic developments in Area C, reaffirmed the EU's commitment to supporting a comprehensive peace agreement and called on both parties to refrain from actions which undermined the viability of the two-state solution.

Israel: Shebaa Farms

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have raised with the governments concerned the possibility of arranging independent arbitration for the disputed Shebaa farms lying between Lebanon, Israel and Syria.

Lord Howell of Guildford: We welcome the respect by all parties of the current ceasefire on the Israel-Lebanon border. Our long-standing position is to urge all the governments concerned to conduct negotiations towards achieving a permanent peace, settling all outstanding border disputes including the Shebaa farms. We also urge both countries to fulfil all their obligations under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 and to avoid any provocative actions. We are clear that peace in the Middle East cannot be complete without peace between Lebanon and Israel, and between Syria and Israel.

John Anslow and Andrew Farndon

Baroness Smith of Basildon: To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they have made regarding the formal investigation of the circumstances of the escape from custody of John Anslow and Andrew Farndon in January 2012; and when they expect to publish the report and recommendations.

Lord McNally: Prison Service investigations into both incidents have now been completed and the recommendations made as a result of those inquiries are being implemented. Criminal investigations into both cases continue; to ensure that these are not compromised, there are no plans at present to release the Prison Service reports in their entirety. It is anticipated that suitable summaries of the investigations, agreed with the police and which reflect the gist of the reports, will be placed in the House Library before Summer Recess.

Justice: Approved Premises

Baroness Smith of Basildon: To ask Her Majesty's Government what permission is required, and what agreements have to be sought, for a bail hostel to be designated as a hostel for prisoners released on licence; and, in those circumstances, whether a change of use has to be sought to any existing agreements.

Lord McNally: Under section 13 of the Offender Management Act 2007, any premises can be approved by the Secretary of State-"an approved premises"-for the provision of accommodation for people granted bail in criminal proceedings, or for or in connection with the supervision or rehabilitation of offenders. No separate authorisation is needed to allow an approved premises to accommodate licensees as distinct from bailees.
	No new approved premises have been developed since the commencement of the Offender Management Act 2007. If a new one were to be developed, planning permission would be needed as well as Secretary of State authorisation. A new detailed specification and manual for approved premises services were issued last year and will form the basis for the commissioning of any new approved premises in future. A process for approving any new premises in accordance with the specification will be developed to support the introduction of commissioning.

Justice: Approved Premises

Baroness Smith of Basildon: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the average cost of running a 25-bedroom Approved Premises in the east of England; and what is the optimum number of staff required.

Lord McNally: The average cost of running an Approved Premises across England and Wales in 2010-11 was £583,000. This is the most recent year for which we have separate figures. Approved Premises are no longer funded separately from other probation operations and to distinguish current spending on them would incur disproportionate cost.
	The cost of running an Approved Premises does not depend on the number of beds. This is because all Approved Premises, regardless of size, are required to have at least two staff on duty at all times, and will generally have more than that during daylight hours. Staff costs comprise the majority of Approved Premises costs, so the overall cost tends to be uniform across the country, apart from London.
	There is no optimum number of staff. Trusts and independent Approved Premises operators are free to set their own staff complement and skills, provided they can meet the requirements of the Approved Premises Specification.

Justice: Approved Premises

Baroness Smith of Basildon: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessments have been conducted of the effect of a suspect on bail being placed in an Approved Premises with a prisoner released on licence; and whether this is considered to be an appropriate placement.

Lord McNally: All referrals to Approved Premises include consideration of risk to the person being referred from other residents, and risk to other residents from the person being referred. There is no assumption that either offenders on licence or bailees as a group automatically present greater risks to other residents. A referral will not go ahead and other accommodation will be found instead if the risks cannot be managed effectively.

Justice: Youth Courts

Lord Hoyle: To ask Her Majesty's Government what arrangements they intend to make to enable the youngest and most vulnerable people to travel to youth courts outside Chorley in the event that Chorley Youth Court is closed.

Lord McNally: There is a requirement in respect of all children and young people under the age of 17 to be accompanied at all court hearings by a responsible adult, and therefore those below that age should not be travelling alone to and from court. This would usually require at least one or preferably both parents or the child's legal guardian to accompany his/her/their son or daughter to court. Any looked-after child would be the responsibility of the relevant local authority, e.g. Lancashire County Council.
	Any child or young person who is detained by the police and considered to be vulnerable may be detained in police custody as a place of safety for his/her own protection, pending his/her being brought before the next sitting of the Youth Court.
	Vulnerable children and young people will continue to be protected in this way although some children and young persons will be required to travel a longer distance to the Youth Court at Preston Magistrates' Court, in the future. However, there is no empirical evidence that demonstrates that youths would be substantially affected if these proposals were introduced. For those residing closer to Preston it would be a benefit. For those living further away, and assuming that they would travel through Chorley, it would mean minimal additional travelling time. Under the proposals, almost all of Lancashire will be no more than circa 10 miles from a Youth Court venue.

Lebanon

Lord Janner of Braunstone: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Government of Lebanon in relation to their implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 regarding the Israeli-Lebanese border area.

Lord Howell of Guildford: We have regular discussions with the governments of Lebanon and Israel on the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR) 1701 and 1559. Whilst welcoming the respect by all parties of the current ceasefire on the Blue Line, we urge both countries to conduct negotiations towards achieving a permanent peace, including settling all outstanding border disputes. We also urge both countries to fulfil all their obligations under UNSCR 1701 and to avoid any provocative actions. We are clear that peace in the Middle East cannot be complete without peace between Lebanon and Israel.

Life Expectancy

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they concur with the assessment of the Church Urban Fund that life expectancy for people living in the most deprived parishes is up to 20 years lower than for those in affluent parishes.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, Director General for Office for National Statistics, to Lord Hunt of Kings Heath, dated 11June 2012.
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Question asking whether we concur with the assessment of the Church Urban Fund that life expectancy for people living in the most deprived parishes is up to 20 years lower than for those in affluent parishes [HL507].
	The life expectancy figures presented in the Church Urban Fund's online tool are based on life expectancy at birth for wards in England and Wales for the period 1999-2003. These figures are produced by ONS and are available at: www ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/subnational-health4/life-expec-birth-wards-eng-wal/index.html.
	ONS cannot comment on the figures presented by the Church Urban Fund as the methods used to convert the ONS ward level life expectancy estimates to parish level estimates are not available.
	There are very large differences between the highest and lowest life expectancy estimates at ward level. Many of these extreme life expectancies are outlying values that may be a product of local factors, such as a high care home population. Such factors cause a degree of uncertainty around the estimate, which is indicated using confidence intervals For example, for females the ward with the lowest life expectancy in 1999-2003 was East Dean, with a life expectancy of 69.8 years at birth. However, the confidence intervals range from 51.8 years to 87.9 years. Due to the level of uncertainty around ward level estimates, it is important to consider the size of the confidence intervals when making comparisons between areas.
	ONS publishes life expectancy and healthy life expectancy for England by area deprivation quintile The most recent figures, for the period 2006-09, show that life expectancy at birth estimates range from 73.3 to 81.4 years for males and 78.9 to 84.5 years for females between areas in the most deprived quintile and those in the least deprived quintile. More detailed figures are available here: www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/disability-and-health-measurement/sub-national-health-expectancies/index.html

Lithuania

Lord Janner of Braunstone: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the Government of Lithuania about the honouring of Juozas Ambrazevicius, the head of the Lithuanian Provisional Government in 1941.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has raised this matter with the Lithuanian Government. We will continue to talk to them about minority rights and post-Holocaust issues.

Migrant Workers: Romanians and Bulgarians

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Verma on 1 May (WA 459-60), what assessment they have made of the Office for National Statistics' (ONS) conclusion that International Passenger Survey (IPS) figures are the most appropriate source for the calculation of migration figures, given the difference between the ONS Annual Population Survey figure of the increase in the Romanian-born population in the United Kingdom between 2007 and 2010, and the IPS figure used to calculate the Long-Term International Migration assessment of the number of Romanians migrating to the United Kingdom.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, Director General for ONS, to Lord Laird, dated May 2012
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question, To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Verma on 1 May (WA 459-60), what assessment they have made of the Office for National Statistics' (ONS) conclusion that International Passenger Survey (IPS) figures are the most appropriate source for the calculation of migration figures, given the difference between the ONS Annual Population Survey figure of the increase in the Romanian-born population in the United Kingdom between 2007 and 2010, and the IPS figure used to calculate the Long-Term International Migration assessment of the number of Romanians migrating to the United Kingdom [HL311].
	As detailed in PQ response HL1694, we have made an assessment of the different sources of data on international migration and published a report, available at the following link: http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/migration1/population-by-country-of-birth-and-nationality/sources-of-international-migration-data/differences-between-sources-of-international-migration-data.pdf.
	We concluded that the International Passenger Survey (IPS) is currently the most appropriate source for the calculation of long-term international migration based on the UN definition of a long-term migrant, which states that a long-term migrant is a person who changes his or her country of usual residence for a period of at least a year.
	We have looked at the Annual Population Survey (APS), but concluded that it is not an appropriate measure of long-term migration flows as it measures "stocks" of migrants and does not differentiate between long and short-term migrants.

Nepal: Mount Everest

Lord Forsyth of Drumlean: To ask Her Majesty's Government, in the light of recent fatalities on Mount Everest and the number of British citizens attempting to climb the mountain, whether they will make representations to the Government of Nepal regarding the number of licences granted to expeditions.

Lord Howell of Guildford: Our embassy in Kathmandu will discuss this issue with the Government of Nepal.
	Our travel advice recommends that travellers use professional trekking companies, which can make a sensible and responsible judgement regarding the timings of treks and the size of expeditions.

NHS Commissioning Board

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many local area teams will be established by the NHS Commissioning Board.

Earl Howe: The NHS Commissioning Board Authority will be considering the local area teams at a public board meeting on 31 May 2012.
	Papers for this meeting can be found at the following link, along with a live web feed at www.commissioningboard.nhs.uk

NHS: Clinical Commissioning Groups

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether Clinical Commissioning Groups are able to host support functions in-house rather than use commissioning support services.[HL352
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Earl Howe: Yes. Under the proposals set out in Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS, and enshrined in the Health and Social Care Act 2012, clinical commissioning groups will have the freedom to decide which commissioning activities they do themselves and those, if any, that they choose to buy in from external organisations, including National Health Service entities, local authorities, private and voluntary sector bodies.

NHS: Clinical Commissioning Groups

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether primary care trusts' private finance initiative debt will be transferred to NHS clinical commissioning groups.

Earl Howe: A large number of private finance initiative (PFI) schemes were let under the previous Government, and these entail significant long-term financial commitments for local National Health Service budgets. A small number of these schemes were procured by primary care trusts (PCTs), based on their assessment of the service needs of their populations.
	In preparation for the abolition of PCTs in April 2013, plans are being developed to transfer all PCTs' contractual obligations to other bodies. However, the destination for PCTs' obligations under PFI contracts remains under consideration.

NHS: London Ambulance Service

Lord Davies of Stamford: To ask Her Majesty's Government, over the last 12-month period for which figures are available, on how many occasions on which an ambulance crew were instructed to stand off pending the arrival of the police, the police took (1) more than 30 minutes, and (2) more than 1 hour, to arrive; and on how many occasions they did not arrive at all.

Earl Howe: This information is not centrally collected.

NHS: Out-of-hours Service

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of the efficacy of whistle-blowing procedures with regard to Serco's operation of out-of-hours general practitioner services in Cornwall.

Earl Howe: This Government have made no assessment of Serco's whistleblowing procedures. The Public Interest Disclosure Act (PIDA) forms part of the wider employment rights legislation and gives legal protection to all staff (employees and workers as defined in PIDA) who make disclosures in the public interest, providing they follow the procedures set out in it. PIDA applies to all staff working in the National Health Service.
	Although PIDA does not require organisations to set up whistleblowing policies and procedures, it does provide an impetus for doing so. Guidance issued by the department in 2003, and further updated in 2010, Speak up for a Healthy NHS, made clear that NHS organisations should put in place local policies and procedures that comply with the Act and set out minimum requirements for such policies. A copy of this guidance has been placed in the Library. A letter reminding all trusts of their obligations in respect of PIDA was issued by the department in January 2012.
	I understand that the primary care trust cluster's medical director and executive nurse will be writing to Serco's medical director and to all out-of-hours clinicians reminding them of whistleblowing policies and of their duty to raise concerns where patient safety issues are identified or suspected.

NHS: Primary Care Trusts

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of services that have been decommissioned or restricted by primary care trusts.

Earl Howe: The provision of local health services is the responsibility of the local National Health Service. The department does not keep a record of the number of services that have been decommissioned or restricted by primary care trusts.

NHS: Staff

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the analysis by the Health Service Journal of the turnover of NHS staff responsible for monitoring care quality.

Earl Howe: The turnover figures for National Health Service staff are published monthly. However, these figures do not separately identify the NHS staff responsible for monitoring care quality.
	The quality and safety of care being provided to NHS patients is paramount to this Government. The modernisation of the NHS will improve the quality and safety of care being delivered and deliver outcomes among the best in the world.
	The Government have made it clear that quality of care is the ultimate responsibility of the leadership within providers. Organisations providing NHS care must monitor the quality and safety of care during the transition and in the new system.
	The National Quality Board has issued guidance on what good governance for quality looks like (March 2011); how quality should be maintained during the transition (March 2011); and how organisations should hand over information about the quality of services being delivered (May 2012).

NHS: Staff

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the approach of the NHS Appointments Commission to the recent appointment of the chairman of the Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust.

Earl Howe: The Appointments Commission has confirmed that that this was an open competition and complied with the Commissioner for Public Appointments' Code of Practice for Ministerial Appointments to Public Bodies.
	We have been assured that the process was managed fairly and the recommendation by the panel to appoint the chair of Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust was based solely on merit.

Nuclear Weapons

Lord Judd: To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress has been made towards fulfilling the undertaking given in the context of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty that existing nuclear powers would prioritise the reduction and elimination of their own stocks of nuclear weapons.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The UK has made particularly strong progress in fulfilling our Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) disarmament obligations, for example announcing in 2010 that we would reduce our overall nuclear weapon stockpile to no more than 180 warheads. The reductions in United States of America and Russian stockpiles of nuclear weapons through the new START treaty (the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) represent important progress towards our shared long-term goal of a world without nuclear weapons. The UK looks forward to discussing further concrete measures towards nuclear disarmament with the other NPT-recognised nuclear-weapon states (the five permanent members of the United National Security Council-the P5) at the third P5 conference in Washington in June.

Nuclear Weapons

Lord Judd: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking to promote the case for nuclear weapons-free zones in the world, particularly in the Middle East; and how they view the nuclear potential of Israel in this context.

Lord Howell of Guildford: We attach great importance to nuclear weapons-free zones. They make a valuable contribution to reducing the number of nuclear weapons worldwide. The UK has signed and ratified protocols in respect of three nuclear weapons-free zones, granting treaty-based negative security assurances to almost 100 countries. There was also recent agreement between the P5 (the five permanent members of the United Security Council) and the Association of South East Asian Nations on the P5 protocol to the south-east Asia nuclear weapons-free zone.
	The proposed Middle East weapons of mass destruction-free zone is more complex than existing nuclear weapons-free zones as it would cover nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and their delivery systems. We have offered both practical and political support to assist the Finnish facilitator Jaakko Laajava's team in its effort to convene a conference on this issue. We have provided funding for Mr Laajava's outreach visits and arranged events on the Middle East weapons of mass destruction (WMD)-free zone at the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention Review Conference and the Chemical Weapons Convention Review Conference. Neither the conference nor a WMD-free zone can be imposed on the region. Success in this initiative will require the agreement of every state in the region and we hope they will all engage constructively with the facilitator, including Israel.

Olympic and Paralympic Games 2012: Transport

Lord Janner of Braunstone: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether extra measures have been put in place to ensure that people in London choosing to commute by bicycle during the Olympic Games are safe, in the light of the restrictions due to the Olympic Route Network and increased congestion.

Earl Attlee: Comprehensive information has been published on the Get Ahead of the Games website www.getaheadofthegames.com to assist those planning to cycle during the Games. This includes a route planner, information about the temporary road network changes and predicted hotspots, and links to information about cycling safety, training, and the cycle hire scheme. In addition, secure cycle parking is being provided at all key Games venues.
	Transport for London has worked closely with cycling groups in designing the temporary traffic management measures on the Olympic Route Network (ORN), which represents less than 1% of London's total road network. All the measures have been subject to road safety audits, which consider the safety of all road users in accordance with established national practice. Cyclists will continue to be able to use the roads forming the ORN and, in the limited number of locations where Games Lanes are in the inside lane, they will normally be able to use those Lanes when in operation alongside Games Family vehicles. In addition there are specific places where cyclists will be exempted from access and turning restrictions for general traffic where it is safe to do so.

Olympic and Paralympic Games 2012: Transport

Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of people with mobility disabilities who will use the rail network during the 2012 Paralympic Games; and what advice they have given to train operating companies on assisting those passengers in accessing platforms and train compartments.

Earl Attlee: The London 2012 Games are planned as being the most accessible ever held with a large number of improvements made to transport networks to increase the level of accessibility for passengers who have reduced mobility.
	the Paralympic travel pattern varies each day based upon the event schedules and locations, day 3 is the Paralympics' busiest day, when 321,310 spectator seats will be available at London venues;of these 28,918 spectators (9%) of spectators attending the Games may have a mobility difficulty (but do not necessarily require assistance on the transport networks); andthe ODA estimates that approximately 20% (5,784) of spectators with a mobility difficulty will travel by rail. A quarter of these passengers will probably not book assistance in advance.
	The Department for Transport strongly advises passengers requiring assistance to board or alight from trains to pre-book this with the relevant train operating company ahead of their journey to ensure that this assistance can be provided.
	A new booking tool has been created for disabled passengers on the rail network called passenger assist, which enables passengers with accessibility needs to define their requirements and arrange the appropriate level of assistance.

Olympic and Paralympic Games 2012: Transport

Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what advice they have given to Transport for London regarding the smooth running of London's underground and bus network during the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Earl Attlee: The operation of London's underground and bus networks are a matter for Transport for London, both under normal circumstances and during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Overseas Aid

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government how much British aid has been allocated to Pakistan in each of the past five years, and which countries received more British aid than Pakistan in this period.

Baroness Northover: Information on the amount of UK bilateral aid provided to Pakistan over each of the past five years can be found in table 14.3 at: http://www.dfid.gov.uk/About-us/How-we-measure-progress/Aid-Statistics/Statistics-on-International-Development-2011/SID-2011-Tables-Index/.
	Over the period of 2006 to 2011 Nigeria, India, Ethiopia, Afghanistan and Bangladesh received more UK bilateral aid than Pakistan.
	In the 2011 Bilateral Aid Review need-effectiveness index, Pakistan scored in the top 5% of countries where aid has the potential to be used most effectively.

Overseas Aid

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government how much has been spent on British overseas aid in Sudan over each of the past 10 years.

Baroness Northover: Details of the Department of International Development (DfID) aid expenditure in developing countries, including Sudan, are published in Statistics on International Development (SID) which is available in the House Library or online at www.dfid.gov.uk.
	The data below outline the DfID spend on bilateral development and humanitarian programmes in Sudan from 2001-11. South Sudan seceded from Sudan in July 2011 and the data below cover spend pre-secession. DfID's spend in Sudan and South Sudan for financial year 2011-12 will be published in DfID's annual report later in the year.
	
		
			 Financial Year Total DfID Bilateral Programme in Sudan (£000) 
			 2001-02 5,598 
			 2002-03 19,222 
			 2003-04 24,663 
			 2004-05 83,964 
			 2005-06 117,114 
			 2006-07 109,800 
			 2007-08 134,666 
			 2008-09 105,787 
			 2009-10 145,578 
			 2010-11 128,206

Overseas Conflict: UK Involvement

Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Wallace of Saltaire on 23 April (WA 361), whether the House of Lords, as well as the House of Commons, would have an opportunity to discuss any United Kingdom involvement in any military conflict overseas.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: A convention has developed in the House of Commons that before troops are committed the House of Commons should have an opportunity to debate the matter. No such convention exists regarding the House of Lords. However, in the cases of both the Iraq War in 2003 and the military action in Libya in 2011 the House of Lords did hold a debate.

Pakistan

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what information they have received about the killing in Pakistan on the night of 22 May of Shugufta Baber, a teacher at the Convent High School in Okara, her two sons and her sister Samina Bibi.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is aware of this tragic case. Our High Commission in Islamabad is discussing the case with the Pakistani authorities. However, we currently have no information beyond what has been reported in the Pakistani media.
	It is vital that Pakistan guarantees the rights of all its citizens, regardless of their faith, gender or ethnicity and we engage with the Pakistani authorities regularly on these issues. UK lobbying contributed to the Government of Pakistan's welcome decision to ratify the International Civilian Covenant on Political Rights (ICCPR) last year.

Pakistan

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have held with the Government of Pakistan about violence directed at the Christian minority in Pakistan.

Lord Howell of Guildford: Alongside our European Union (EU) partners, we raise the issues of religious tolerance on a regular basis at a senior level with the authorities in Pakistan. The Government's concerns about violence against religious minorities in Pakistan were expressed in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's recent annual human rights report. The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my honourable friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Mr Burt) raised the issue of religious persecution with the Foreign Minister of Pakistan during her visit to London in February.

Pakistan

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what proportion of British aid to Pakistan is directed towards minorities; what proportion is used to combat sectarian violence against the country's minorities; and upon what considerations does the provision of British aid depend.

Baroness Northover: Our development assistance targets the poor, regardless of race, religion, creed, or nationality. Since the poorest are often minority or marginalised groups, they benefit from many of our programmes. UK aid also helps support minorities by increasing the engagement of citizens, especially the socially excluded, in the democratic process.
	The UK's Development Partnership Agreement with Pakistan sets out four areas where we must jointly demonstrate commitment: poverty (progress on the Millennium Development Goals), public financial management, human rights and aid effectiveness. At the annual UK/Pakistan aid talks, progress in each of these areas is reviewed.

Pakistan: Women

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what information they have received concerning abuses of the rights of women from religious minorities in Pakistan.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) closely monitors human rights reporting from a variety of sources, including diplomatic, non-governmental organisations and media reporting. This information is summarised in the FCO's 2011 annual human rights report.
	In the most recent quarterly update to the human rights report, published in March, the FCO expressed concerns over media reports of human rights abuses against women, including acid attacks and honour killings, children and minorities, including forced conversions.
	I recently met visiting campaigners for minorities and women's rights in Pakistan to hear first-hand of the situation they face and to express our support for their cause.

Pakistan: Women

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking to help protect the rights of women from religious minorities in Pakistan.

Lord Howell of Guildford: Alongside our European Union (EU) partners, we raise issues of religious tolerance on a regular basis at a senior level with the authorities in Pakistan. The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my honourable friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Mr Burt) raised the issue of religious persecution with the Foreign Minister of Pakistan during her visit to London in February. I recently met visiting campaigners for minorities and women's rights in Pakistan and expressed our support for their cause.
	It is vital that Pakistan guarantees the rights of all its citizens regardless of their faith, gender or ethnicity. UK lobbying contributed to the Government of Pakistan's decision to ratify the International Civilian Covenant on Political Rights last year.

Pakistan: Women

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have made an assessment of the extent of discrimination and violence directed against Christian women in Pakistan on account of their gender and their religion; when they last raised this issue with the Government of Pakistan; and what relationship this issue has to the provision of British aid to Pakistan.

Baroness Northover: The UK Government closely monitor the human rights situation in Pakistan. This year's Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) human rights report identified rights to freedom of expression and religion and legislation for women's rights as key areas of concern. We raise the issue of religious tolerance on a regular basis at a senior level with authorities in Pakistan. The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr Burt) raised the issue of religious persecution with the Foreign Minister of Pakistan during her visit to London in February.
	Pakistan's commitment to agreed human rights obligations is one of the principles of the 10-year Development Partnership Arrangement (DPA) between the UK and Pakistan. We discuss progress on the DPA every year with the Government of Pakistan. The UK Government will continue to engage the Government of Pakistan on upholding the rights of all its citizens, regardless of their faith, ethnicity or belief.

Palestine

Lord Turnberg: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the Palestinian Authority about returning to the negotiating table without preconditions, in the light of the Government of Israel's offer to resume immediate negotiations.

Lord Howell of Guildford: A solution is needed urgently to give the Palestinian people the state that they need and deserve and the Israeli people the security and peace that have eluded them for so long.
	We and our European Union (EU) partners have welcomed the recent efforts by the Palestinian and Israeli leadership to renew direct contacts. We have urged both sides to focus on dialogue, to avoid steps that could undermine the prospects for peace and to work towards the resumption of direct negotiations without pre-conditions. The full text of the EU Foreign Affairs Council conclusions issued in May 2012 can be found at: www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/130195.pdf
	The UK has reinforced these public representations through our bilateral contacts with both parties during the past month.

Pensions

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Wallace of Saltaire on 23 April (WA 362-3), whether they will cap the Exchequer contribution to the Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund at its current 28.7% of pay; and whether there is any pension fund in the public sector that receives a higher level of employer contribution.

Lord Sassoon: Responsibility for determining and administering the pension scheme for MPs was transferred to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) after Parliament resolved that it supported the approach to public service pension reform. IPSA are reviewing the future scheme design of MPs' pensions and will make an announcement by the end of 2013.
	While there are public service pension schemes with similar employer contribution levels, these need to be seen in the context of the full terms and other circumstances of the particular schemes.
	The Interim Report of the Hutton Review http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/hutton_pensionsinterim_ 071010.pdf sets out an overview of the main schemes on pages 136 and 137.

Philippines

Lord Patten: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have made, or intend to make, representations to the Government of the Philippines concerning the detention without trial of Ericson Acosta.

Lord Howell of Guildford: We are aware of the case but have not made any representations at this time. Our Embassy in Manila regularly raises human rights concerns and continues to work with the Philippines Department of Justice and Commission of Human Rights to embed basic human rights protection and strengthen the justice system in all relevant institutions. We will continue to monitor this case.

Police

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government what monitoring or supervision is conducted by the Home Office of the membership of police authorities, and in particular of the length of service of individual members.

Lord Henley: There is no such supervision. Police authority appointments are a matter for the relevant police authority.

Police

Lord Morris of Manchester: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have received from members of the Police Federation on vouchsafing the future of the police service; what replies they have sent; and what action they have taken.

Lord Henley: The Government receive a number of representations from members of the Police Federation covering a wide range of issues.
	On 10 May my right honourable friend, the Minister for Policing and Criminal Justice wrote an open letter to all police officers setting out the Government's agenda for police reform. This is available on the Home Office website and I will place a copy in the Library of the House.

Police: Remuneration

Lord Condon: To ask Her Majesty's Government when and how they will respond to the recommendations in part two of the report of the Independent Review of Police Officers' and Staff Remuneration and Conditions.

Lord Henley: I refer the noble Lord to the Written Ministerial Statement issued by my right honourable friend the Home Secretary on 27 March 2012, Official Report, col. 126WS, where she responded to part two of the Independent Review of Police Officers' and Staff Remuneration and Conditions on 27 March, stating her intention to refer the report's recommendations to the relevant bodies, including the Police Negotiating Board and the Police Advisory Board of England and Wales. The Home Secretary will carefully consider the recommendations from these bodies before making any decisions.
	The recommendations on police pensions will be taken forward as part of long-term reform that is being discussed in the Police Negotiating Board. The Home Secretary will consult partners on recommendations for direct entry to the service at Superintendent and Chief Constable level. The Home Secretary will also consult on recommendations on proposed changes to the police negotiating machinery.

Police: South Wales

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the appropriate Secretary of State approved the secondment of Deputy Chief Constable Colette Paul of South Wales Constabulary to the National Crime Agency; and, if so, when.

Lord Henley: Deputy Chief Constable Colette Paul is on a three-month attachment from South Wales Police to the office of the Organised Crime Partnership Board (OCPB) Co-ordinator. This post is not subject to the Home Secretary's approval, nor that of any other Minister. The role of the OCPB Co-ordinator is to ensure a consistent approach to organised crime across England and Wales, ensuring that there is effective join-up between the National Crime Agency and the rest of law enforcement.

Political Groups: Islamist Organisations

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have designated Boko Haram as a terrorist organisation.

Lord Henley: Boko Haram is not currently a proscribed terrorist organisation. It is government policy not to comment on whether a group is, or is not, under consideration for proscription.

Poverty

Lord Fearn: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many families in the United Kingdom were deemed to be below the poverty line in (1) 2012 to date, and (2) 2011.

Lord Freud: Information for 2011 and 2012 to date is not available. The latest poverty statistics cover the period 2009-10 and the next report, containing 2010-11 data will be released on the 14 June 2012.
	The 2009-10 statistics are published and available on the Department's website: http://research.dwp.gov.uk/ asd/hbai/hbai20l 0/index.php?page=contents

Railways: Reform

Lord Bradshaw: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to paragraph 4.47 of Reforming Our Railways: Putting the Customer First, which parts of the network are being considered for differentiated maintenance and renewals and what level of savings the Government expect to achieve.

Earl Attlee: In the first instance, this is an operational matter for the rail industry.
	Network Rail is considering ways in which usage of the network can be managed to bring about net cost savings. For example, freight operators are working with Network Rail to review which parts of the network they no longer need to access, and to establish the extent to which maintenance and renewals can be differentiated as a result of this.
	The Government understand that work is ongoing, and that Network Rail will publish an update in due course.

Reptiles

Baroness Parminter: To ask Her Majesty's Government, according to TRACES, how many reptiles were imported into the United Kingdom from (1) within, and (2) outside, the European Union in each year from 2001 to 2011.

Lord Taylor of Holbeach: The Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES) is the responsibility of the European Commission. The information requested cannot be obtained at this time due to technical difficulties with the TRACES system. I will write to the noble Baroness with the information when it is available.

Reptiles

Baroness Parminter: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many reptiles were seized, by (1) number of seizures, and (2) number of individual animals, by HM Customs under CITES in each year from 2001 to 2011.

Lord Henley: Data specifically for reptiles are not available. The data in the following table show the number of seizures and the number of animals and birds seized. The data from 1 April 2008 show seizures by UK Border Force. Prior to 2008, the data show seizures by HM Revenue and Customs. Data from 2001 to 2003 are not available.
	
		
			 Live animals and birds 
			  2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 
			 Number of seizures 83 81 37 39 25 37 21 8 
			 Number of items seized 2,121 7,846 1,750 1,229 442 1,212 563 1,620

Republic of Ireland: Financial Support

Lord Kilclooney: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Sassoon on 1 February (WA 338), whether the Republic of Ireland had paid interest on the bilateral loan of £3.2 billion by the end of the reporting period of 31 March 2012.

Lord Sassoon: As I set out in my Answer to the noble Lord on 1 February, the first interest payment on the bilateral loan to Ireland was received on 15 December 2011. Thereafter, interest on each disbursed tranche of the loan is payable every six months until the maturity date of each tranche.

Schools: Faith Schools

Lord Warner: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hill of Oareford on 22 May (WA 50), whether any proposals for voluntary aided schools of a specific religious denomination require the approval of a local authority before they can be implemented; and how public funding to support such proposals is safeguarded.

Lord Hill of Oareford: Under current legislation the same statutory process must be followed where a new voluntary aided school is proposed, regardless of the specific religious character (or otherwise) of the school. The decision as to whether or not to approve the proposals is taken by the local authority. The proposers and the bishop of the local diocese have a right of appeal to the independent schools adjudicator if the proposals are rejected.
	Local authorities have discretion to assist the proposers in establishing a new voluntary aided school in respect of any premises or land for use by the school. Paragraph 31(1) of Schedule 2 to the Education and Inspections Act 2006 requires the local authority to transfer its interest in those premises to the relevant trust for the new school. Where interest is freehold, Schedule 22 to the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 and Part 2 of Schedule 1 to the Academies Act 2010 prevent the subsequent disposal of the site without the consent of the Secretary of State.

Static Caravans

Lord Kilclooney: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they propose to apply VAT on static holiday caravans; whether they have made any assessment of the impact of such a measure on caravan owners in Northern Ireland and of the likely relocation of caravans to the Republic of Ireland; whether there will be a public consultation about any such proposal; and, if so, which media outlets along the coastlines of the Counties of Down, Antrim and Londonderry are to be used to bring it to the attention of owners of static holiday caravans.

Lord Sassoon: Table 5, pages 41-42 of Annexe B, Tables of Impact for Individual Measures in HM Revenue and Customs consultation document "VAT: Addressing Borderline Anomalies", reproduced below, sets out impacts of the VAT change to holiday caravans as proposed at Budget 2012. The document is available online at: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget2012/vat-con-4801.pdf.
	Following this consultation, the Government have decided to introduce VAT on static holiday caravans at the reduced rate of 5%.
	No assessment has been made of the impact on caravan owners in Northern Ireland.
	
		
			 Table 5-Static Holiday Caravans 
			 Summary of impacts 
			 Exchequer impact (£m) 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 
			  +15 +35 +40 +40 +45 
			  These figures are part of the VAT package on Closing Loopholes and Correcting Anomalies set out in Table 2.1 of Budget 2012 and have been certified by the Office for Budget Responsibility. More details can be found in the policy costings document published alongside Budget 2012. This element of the VAT package is shown above. 
			 Economic impact This measure might lead to a small increase in the price of static caravans which would lead to a fall in demand. The overall macroeconomic impacts are expected to be negligible. 
			 Impact on individuals and households This measure will impact around 50,000 individuals and households purchasing static holiday caravans each year. There is no impact on those who already own a caravan of a type affected by the change. 
			  There may be an impact on a small number of individuals renting static holiday caravans for residential purposes if the business renting out the caravan passes on the VAT on the purchase of the caravan in increased rent. 
			  There are no identified compliance costs for individuals or households. 
			 Equalities impacts The main impact of the measure is on individuals buying a static caravan for holiday purposes. This measure could, however, adversely impact on any individuals and families who reside in static caravans not designed for residential purposes. However, the numbers affected are expected to be very small as these caravans are not designed for all year round occupation. 
			  However, those affected will include some of the Gypsy and Traveller community. Official statistics on the number of Gypsy and Traveller caravans suggest there are around 13,500 privately owned Gypsy and Traveller caravans in the UK and 8,000 rented caravans. There is no breakdown available of the types of caravan purchased or rented by the Gypsy and Traveller community. It is likely that the majority of these are tourer caravans, which are already standard-rated. However assuming the same proportion as for the entire population, it is estimated that the Gypsy and Traveller community may purchase around 1,000 static caravans each year and rent around 3,000. 
			  There are no data on the types of individuals who rent out static caravans for all year round residential purposes. 
			  Carving out exclusions from the legislation to mitigate the impact on vulnerable groups would make the rules complex and create opportunities for avoidance and evasion. 
			 Impact on business including civil society organisations Up to around 750 manufacturers, retailers and holiday parks selling static caravans will be affected by this measure. 
			  The vast majority of holiday static caravans are manufactured in the UK and a small number of manufacturers account for the vast majority of all UK sales. Although some manufacturers produce other types of caravans, static caravans are the main source of income for most of these manufacturers. The costing assumes a fall in demand of about 30%, if the VAT change is fully passed on. 
			  One-off compliance costs have been considered and are expected to be negligible in total. Around 750 businesses will incur costs from familiarisation with the new guidance, system changes, re-pricing and additional book-keeping and these are expected to be small. 
			  There are no expected ongoing administrative burdens. 
			 Operational impact (£m) (HMRC or other) It is not anticipated that implementing this change will incur any additional costs/savings for HM Revenue & Customs. 
			 Other impacts Small firms impact test. This change is likely to adversely impact on all businesses that manufacture, buy or sell static caravans, from the very smallest to the very largest. There is no scope for different VAT treatment for supplies of static caravans made by small firms.

Sudan

The Lord Bishop of Bath and Wells: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the Government of Sudan regarding the destruction of the Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church and Bible School on 21 April and the occupation by Sudanese security forces of the premises of the Sudan Council of Churches and Sudan Aid in Nyala, Darfur on 23 April.

Lord Howell of Guildford: We were very concerned by the attack on church premises in Khartoum on 21 April and welcome the announcement from the Ministry of Religious Guidance and Endowments of an investigation into the incident. Our embassy in Khartoum raised the incident with representatives of the Government of Sudan on 3 May 2012 expressing our concern and urging the Government to ensure their inquiry is thorough, independent and timely. We will continue to follow the progress of this investigation.
	It is disappointing that the Sudan Council of Churches and Sudan Aid were told to suspend their activities in Nyala on 22 April. We regularly raise with the Sudanese authorities our concerns about restrictions placed on the provision of humanitarian and development assistance in Darfur.
	We continue to remind the Government of Sudan of their obligation to protect all of their civilians, including those in religious groups. Our embassy in Khartoum holds regular meetings with representatives of faith-based groups and has supported civil society groups promoting human rights in Sudan.

Sudan

The Earl of Sandwich: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assistance they have provided to non-governmental organisations in assisting the process of improving parliamentary representation and democratic Government in Sudan, including through the sharing of skills and experience available in Westminster.

Lord Howell of Guildford: In 2011-12, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office provided a range of assistance to support the development of good governance in Sudan. This included funding the activities of the Sudanese Initiative for Constitution-Making, a coalition of non-governmental organisations advocating for a transparent and inclusive constitutional review process that held workshops with civil society, the media, Khartoum State legislators and the Sudan Council of States, the upper house of Sudan's parliament. We also funded a large programme of training in journalistic standards for the media delivered by the Thomson Foundation so that journalists are able to hold the Government to account. In February last year the embassy hosted a visit by the all-party groups, which included professional exchanges between Sudanese and UK parliamentarians. We will continue to prioritise assistance for human rights and governance work in the 2012-13 period.

Suicide

The Lord Bishop of Bath and Wells: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many young people in the United Kingdom committed suicide in (1) 2010, and (2) 2011; and what proposals they have to provide support to vulnerable young people who are identified as being most at risk.

Earl Howe: In 2010, there were 117 recorded deaths from suicide and verdicts of injuries of undetermined intent for those aged between 10-19 years and 587 recorded among those aged 20-29 years.
	The figures for 2011 will be published later in the year. However, for the first three quarters of 2011, there were 108 recorded deaths from suicide and verdicts of injuries of undetermined intent for those aged between 10-19 years and 467 recorded among those aged 20-29 years.
	The Government's draft suicide prevention strategy aims to reduce the suicide rate in the general population. Proposed areas for action include:
	Reducing the risk of suicide in high-risk groups including offenders and people with mental health problems;tailored approaches to improve mental health in specific groups;reducing access to the means of suicide;providing better support and information to those bereaved or affected by suicide; supporting the media in delivering sensible and sensitive approaches to suicide and suicidal behaviour; andsupporting research, data collection and monitoring.
	The suicide prevention strategy will support delivery of the NHS Outcomes Framework indicator on reducing premature deaths in people with serious mental illness.
	We have recently completed a national consultation on the suicide prevention strategy. We are now considering the responses received, and intend to publish the final strategy shortly.

Sunday Trading

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have plans to suspend the Sunday trading law for Sunday 23 December 2012.

Baroness Wilcox: The Government have no future plans to look at further suspensions of the current Sunday trading restrictions.

Taxation

Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will invite Adrian Beecroft to write a report for HM Treasury and HM Revenue and Customs on taxation of private equity investment vehicles, carried interests of private equity executives and the impact on United Kingdom corporation tax receipts of private equity takeovers of British companies whose headquarters have subsequently moved abroad for tax purposes.

Lord Sassoon: The Government currently have no plans to commission a report on the taxation of the private equity sector or on the impact on United Kingdom corporation tax receipts of private equity takeovers of British companies whose headquarters have subsequently moved abroad for tax purposes.

Taxation

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government which taxable state benefits have tax deducted at source by means of the application of a tax code from HM Revenue and Customs; and why the payment of state old-age pensions is not treated in that manner.

Lord Sassoon: The Department for Work and Pensions operates a modified form of pay as you earn in respect of the following taxable state benefits: jobseeker's allowance, employment and support allowance, and incapacity benefit.
	There are currently no plans to apply the same treatment to the state old-age pension.

Taxation: Charitable Donations

Baroness Quin: To ask Her Majesty's Government how much tax relief was claimed by public schools on charitable donations received in each of the last five financial years.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government how much tax revenue was lost in each of the past five financial years as a result of individuals or organisations offsetting their charitable donations against tax.

Lord Sassoon: HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) does not keep records of Gift Aid claims by reference to the types of organisations that make the claims.
	Amounts donated by individuals and companies and tax repayments to charities are published in Table 10.3 on the HMRC website at: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/charities/table10-3.pdf.
	Statistics on donations show cases only when it is possible to make an accurate assessment of the amount from repayments of tax. This excludes capital gains tax and, since system changes at Budget 2000, corporate donations.

Taxation: Inheritance Tax

Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Sassoon on 30 April (WA 430) concerning inheritance tax, whether they will consider replacing the flat rate of 40% with stepped rates between 20% and 45%.

Lord Sassoon: As set out in the coalition agreement, the Government have decided that making changes to the personal allowances for income tax should take priority over other tax cuts, including inheritance tax. Any changes to the inheritance tax regime will then have to be considered with due regard to the Government's priorities of reducing the fiscal deficit and ensuring economic recovery. Decisions would be made through the usual Budget process.
	The Chancellor of the Exchequer keeps all aspects of the tax system, including inheritance tax, under review.

Ticks

The Countess of Mar: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 23 May (WA 82-3), how many United Kingdom travellers to the rest of the European Union and neighbouring countries have been vaccinated against tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) in each year from 2002, and how many enquiries about TBE and TBE vaccination the National Travel Health Network and Centre received in each year from 2002.

Earl Howe: Information on the numbers of travellers from the United Kingdom who have been vaccinated against tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is not held centrally.
	The available information on the number on telephone enquiries received by the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) Advice Line about TBE vaccination is set out in the table.
	
		
			 Tick-borne Encephalitis vaccination telephone enquiries received by NaTHNaC 
			 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 (as of 30 June 2010) 
			 76 135 115 106 119 74 52

Turkey

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the road map for peace in Turkey, proposed by Mr Abdullah Ocalan in 2009; and whether they will make representations to the Government of Turkey about continuing negotiations on its contents.

Lord Howell of Guildford: We welcome the process of constitutional reform, following the last Turkish parliamentary elections, which offers an important opportunity to make progress on a range of issues including those relating to the Kurdish community.
	We have not made an assessment of the proposed road map for peace proposed by Abdullah Ocalan. We will not be making any representations to the Government of Turkey about this document. We condemn unreservedly the spate of recent terrorist attacks conducted by the PKK (Partiya Karkeren Kurdistan-The Kurdistan Workers Party).

Turkey

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will ask the Government of Turkey to respond to the proposals for constitutional change submitted by the Peace and Democracy Party, in particular the proposal for protection of identities, mother tongue languages, and for changes to criminal and anti-terror laws.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The Government welcome the participation of the Peace and Democracy Party in the process of constitutional reform, launched following the last Turkish parliamentary elections.
	We encourage all parties to engage constructively in the process and debate all the relevant issues.

UK Residency

Lord Ashcroft: To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the requirements that a foreign investor must meet in order to obtain residency in the United Kingdom.

Lord Henley: A person who wishes to apply for settlement (indefinite leave to remain) as an investor will need to meet the requirements in the Immigration Rules.
	Depending on the level of investment in the UK, he or she must complete a continuous residence period of two, three or five years with no more than 180 days absence in any 12 calendar months. The person must show that they have maintained investments throughout the specified investment period. In addition, he or she must not have any unspent convictions within the meaning of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, must not fall for refusal under the general grounds for refusal, must not be an illegal entrant, and must have a minimum of 75 points under the points-based system. The requirements to have sufficient knowledge of the English language and sufficient knowledge about life in the United Kingdom must also be met.
	Further information can be found on the UK Border Agency website:
	http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/working/tier1/oldinvestors/settlement/for those who entered in the previous investor route.
	http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/working/tier1/investor/settlement/for those who are here as investors under tier 1 of the points-based system.

Water Management

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Taylor of Holbeach on 22 May (WA 52-3), whether they will publish the water companies' water resources management plans to increase capacity for the storage of water.

Lord Taylor of Holbeach: All water companies must prepare and maintain water resource management plans. The statutory plans are subject to public consultation and published on the water company's website. Water companies will consult on new plans during 2013 for the period 2015-2040.

Water Supply: Pipe Leakage

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Taylor of Holbeach on 24 May (WA 92), in relation to (1) Thames Water, and (2) all other water companies in England and Wales, how many times in the last three years Ofwat has exercised its powers (a) to obtain a formal undertaking from a company; (b) to use wider enforcement powers in the case of failure to deliver against a formal undertaking; (c) to obtain informal undertakings from a company to invest in further leakage control; and (d) to require regular progress reports to demonstrate performance is returning to target.

Lord Taylor of Holbeach: The table below sets out when Ofwat has used its formal powers regarding water companies when they have failed their leakage targets in the last three years.
	
		
			 2008-09 Action taken 
			 Thames Water Quarterly progress reports required from company. 
			 Severn Trent Water Quarterly progress reports required red from company. 
		
	
	
		
			 2009-10 Action taken 
			 Southern Water Informal undertaking and interim reports required from company. 
			 Essex and Suffolk Water Quarterly progress reports required from company. 
			 Northumbrian Water Company-volunteered interim reporting, which was accepted. 
			 Veolia Central An interim leakage report was required from the company. 
			 Dee Valley Water An interim leakage report was required from the company. 
			 Cambridge Water A pre-winter leakage update was required from the company. 
			 Yorkshire Water Action taken under Section 203 of the Water Industry Act, leading to a voluntary undertaking from Yorkshire Water. 
		
	
	
		
			 2010-11 Action taken 
			 Southern Water Formal action taken under Section 19 of the Water Industry Act. A formal undertaking with revised targets was agreed. In addition Ofwat confirmed it would return £5 million to Southern Water's customers through the next price review. 
			 Northumbrian Water Quarterly progress reports required from company. 
			 Yorkshire Water Continues to follow its informal undertaking. 
			 Severn Trent Water Quarterly progress reports required from company. 
			 Anglian Water Quarterly progress reports required from company. 
			 Welsh Water Quarterly progress reports required from company.